4 Ways to Live Well and Wisely in Times of Transition
“One way to live well in transitions is to foster grace for yourself.”
Photo by Janelle Pol
Autumn in New York City is a world-class wonder. Nothing signals a new beginning quite like cool air off the Hudson piercing still-warm summer nights; nothing matches the beauty of beech and maple carpeting Central Park in yellow at the apex of the season.
If autumn is a transition season, September is the gateway to autumn. In September, those outward signs can still be weeks away, even as we sneak in one last beach day and prepare to be swept into the rhythm of a new school year.
The world has undergone more than a few changes in the last year, and if you’re like me, the changes have culminated in a number of shifts in your personal sphere. It seems like every other person I know has moved states or jobs this past summer!
Many of us have been given the gift of perspective and time to reevaluate how, where, and who we feel called to be in the world. We’re on the cusp of diving into new pursuits or taking our first tentative steps exploring our new environments.
How do we live well and wisely in times of transition?
1. Name your season
It’s important to name seasons of change in particular, because change by definition includes a lot of unknowns. And unknowns — while exciting — can be uncomfortable.
Even if you’re returning to the same job or workplace after eighteen months at home or suddenly having more in-person time with old friends, you have changed and so you will likely experience those settings differently.
You can spare yourself self-judgment and undue angst by naming your season and realizing your experience is common to all people. You also grow your compassion for those immediately around you by acknowledging their seasons.
2. Allow grace for the new
I used to work in a very technical field with assignments rotating every two years; it was accepted that you weren’t going to contribute much in your first year. I learned to allow myself time to grow into my new role.
Naming times of change is helpful because they usually involve doing something new. It sounds obvious, but doing something new means that you haven’t done it before. You aren’t the expert; you’re about to embark on a learning curve.
One way to live well in transitions is to foster grace for yourself. Learning — even learning new grocery store/laundromat rhythms in a new place — takes a lot more time and emotional energy than doing something rote.
Adjusting your expectations and taking extra rest can go a long way toward smoothing out your landing.
3. Define your mission
One way to adjust your expectations is to identify your mission. Knowing what this is and using it to define what “success” looks like early in the process can help you chart your path through change.
I’m a huge fan of personal mission statements to keep me on track in the swirl of endless activities and choices. For example, part of my mission is practicing hospitality, so having space for a dining table is one of my requirements when navigating an apartment search.
For you, defining success could look like reserving time and energy for regular coffee dates so that your friendships thrive in the midst of adjusting to a new job.
A good mission statement captures what is important to you, whom you want to impact, and how you will leverage your strengths and skills to bring positive change. It can be adapted to mini-seasons to bring focus and ensure the satisfaction of having spent yourself on the things that matter most.
4. Take time to reflect
Finally, take the time to update what’s in your suitcase. Not all clothing is suitable for all seasons, but some things, like your hygiene bag and your Bible need to come with you every trip.
Likewise, reflect on the practices, rhythms, and priorities you employed during your last season. What do you want to bring with you? What can you leave behind? What projects need to be shelved? What new habits do you want to build in?
Transitions are unique opportunities to lay down new patterns.
Autumn in New York City is so beautiful and it goes by so fast; the Bryant Park ice skating rink goes up earlier every year and the Christmas tree stands will be here before you know it. The anticipation and excitement and nerves you feel for your new undertaking will fly by.
Consider this: you’re only new to something once. By being intentional and present in times of change, you can savor what is special about each season with grace and open hands.
What new rhythms do you want to build this fall?
Kelsey Anne is a writer, spiritual director, and run coach helping people flourish body, mind, and spirit in urban settings. For all intents and purposes, she lives in Central Park.