Managing Transition Together

Change is something that is guaranteed throughout our lives, but it isn’t always easy to experience. Dealing with sudden unexpected change can be overwhelming - especially for those of us who like to plan and prefer to reduce the amount of uncertainty in our lives. For the first time in recent history, the whole world has been impacted by sudden unexpected change. It might be comforting to think that there are no exclusions - everyone is transitioning from the way life was to a “new normal.” We are all in this together. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of transition is:
A: passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : CHANGE
B: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another

One thing the dictionary definition left out is that transition is gradual, it doesn’t happen overnight. We're leaving behind the way things were and stepping into a new way of living. It’s also important to remember there are normal ups and downs, and no set timeline for a transition to be over.

When people think about being organized, they might imagine picture-perfect pantries ready for a photo shoot. Organizing isn’t just about the physical stuff, our habits and routines play a big part in feeling and staying organized. Right now while we’re all dealing with containment is an opportunity to develop our habits and routines at home, either alone or with our families. It’s a time to reflect on all aspects of our lives and make adjustments where appropriate. My priorities have shifted to taking the best care of myself possible, and supporting my loved ones. Here are three things I focus on each day:

Be Kind and Patient
This is important, now more than before. Everyone is experiencing this situation differently. Some live alone, others have large families to manage. There are people who continue working with the public each day while the rest are hunkering down at home. Everybody has different needs and a different perspective. Some adapt to changes quickly, and others take more time - there is no right answer when it comes to this, only what works best for you. As restrictions ease, some people will be making changes faster than others, and some will still be choosing strict containment to protect themselves or vulnerable family members. As I mentioned before, whatever the situation, we are all experiencing changes together. Choosing to be kind helps strengthen our bond while we’re apart and gives others hope. I’ve heard a few people say, “smile under that mask every chance you get!” and have yet to regret taking the advice.

​Practice self-care
Maybe too much screen time and news reports leave you feeling drained. The seemingly endless raw, rainy weather might have you feeling restless. Try to recognize whatever it is that could be giving you the blahs, and focus on activities that help you feel better. While a lot is out of our control right now, a self-care routine is something we can control, no matter how big or small. Having something fun to look forward to each day has helped me keep a positive outlook. It might look like setting a timer and shutting down electronics for a walk or a family dance party. Rainy days are a good opportunity to work on some kind of fun, creative project indoors - whatever it is that interests you, go for it!

Reflect
With this sudden unexpected change, we’ve been left with structuring our days from scratch. Many adults transitioned to working from home, children and teens are now learning from home, with parents juggling work and homeschooling. If your life was super busy before and felt chaotic, you might be enjoying this slower paced lifestyle at the moment. This could be an opportunity to drop what wasn’t working before we were all separated. Were there too many weekly activities on the calendar and not enough evenings at home? Are there things you’ve wanted to do “when time allows” that you haven’t gotten to? It’s ok to let them go. While there may be activities that you’d like to drop - there are surely some that are missed! What is it that you miss right now that you’re looking forward to when restrictions ease?

How has your life changed recently? What are some positives that have come out of this situation for you? I'd love to hear from you!