life transitions + adjustments
life tranᐧsiᐧtion (n)
a change or shift from one state, subject, place, etc. to another
adᐧjustᐧment (n)
the adaptation or conformation of oneself (as to new conditions)
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)
This time next year I'll be livin' so good
Won't remember no pain, I swear
Normal Girl - SZA
It’s been six weeks. Six months. Six years. You're (still) not over it. Your ex continues to take up mental space. You thought you wouldn’t still feel sadness when you hear their name, but it lurks, only interrupted by annoyance, followed by more sadness. Then shame for feeling that sadness. You’re exhausted from the cycle.
Or perhaps you’re on the brink of a breakup. Something isn’t aligned in your relationship and you don’t know what your next move should be. You vacillate between staying and working through your issues, which feels so damn tiring, and leaving, which feels really scary.
Maybe you’re seeing a change in yourself and aren’t quite sure what to make of it. Your personal roles and responsibilities look very different than they did a few years ago, and that’s left you asking yourself, “what happened to me?”
Or you could be adjusting to something totally different - the death of a loved one, a move, a rift with a close friend, the after effects of a traumatic experience. Life transitions are tough, and can feel really isolating.
What you feel during your life transition 💔: stressed, lonely, sad, overwhelmed, anxious
What you think during your life transition 💭: “I should be over this by now.” “If only I had done something differently.” “I’m ready to move on but I don’t know how.””Did I make the right decision?” “I miss the old me.”
What you do during your life transition ✔: avoid activities you used to enjoy, distance yourself from loved ones, throw yourself into work, engage in risky behaviors, pretend not to care, go down the rabbit hole of “what ifs”