Transition? Transformation?
The past few years have brought significant transitions for me—my husband moved to Texas full-time, and I let go of a major income-producing contract. These are two very different changes that have impacted my life in different ways—one I had more control over than the other. Perhaps you can relate?
We all go through transitions, some we can influence, others we cannot. However, how we approach these moments, regardless of our control, can profoundly affect our lives. Engaging in a mindful, holistic process—considering mind, body, emotions, and spirit—can turn a transition into a transformation. So, what do I mean by transformation?
Let’s start with transition. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.” For me, that meant going from living full-time with my husband to living part-time alone and from having a predictable income to an uncertain one. Both were transitions, but how I respond to these changes is where the possibility for transformation lies.
Transformation, defined as “a complete change in somebody or something,” is a shift that feels irreversible. While transition refers to the change itself, transformation is the internal shift in how we view ourselves and the world. GH Wade’s article in The National Library of Medicine describes personal transformation as “a dynamic, uniquely individualized process of expanding consciousness, whereby individuals become critically aware of old and new self-views and choose to integrate these views into a new self-definition.” It’s like moving from caterpillar to butterfly—a fundamental shift in who we are and how we show up.
To make this personal, I could have chosen to move to Texas and live full-time with my husband, but I decided to stay close to my family and home state for most of the year. Either choice is a transition. The transformation I’m undergoing is about examining my beliefs around marriage, independence, and what I can learn from this unique arrangement. It’s a choice to see this period as an opportunity to grow and maybe even transform. I’m learning to understand my triggers, explore my insecurities, and embrace courage. While I don’t always love the arrangement and have gone through numerous emotions, there are aspects I do appreciate. Slowly, in this transition, I’m shedding and tweaking old thought patterns and gaining new perspectives and wings—taking this transition and consciously moving into a transformation.
Are you going through a transition? Could it be an opportunity for transformation? Here are some reflective questions that helped me, and I hope they provide you with insights too:
What do I want and need in this new reality?
What assumptions, beliefs, habits, or biases am I carrying into this transition? Are they serving me or holding me back? Are they truly mine, or societal messages?
What would happen if I let go of them? What else could emerge?
What new thoughts or beliefs might I try out to gain fresh perspectives?
How will I know when a transformation has begun? What will it feel like, look like, be like?
Transformation can be hard work, and it’s essential to have support. I’m grateful for my strong support system, therapist, and my husband, who is also doing deep work. There are many ways to navigate transitions, and there are a couple things that have really helped me to shift the transition into a transformation - journaling and meditation. Writing slows the mind, helping you uncover new insights. Meditation can clear your mind and bring more clarity as you ground in the present. Starting new rituals can disrupt our habitual patterns and create space for transformation!
If you’d like support in your transition, consider scheduling a free 30-minute coaching session with me [HERE]. Or, if you’re ready for a 6-day deep immersion into shifting a transition into a transformation—join Juniper and I this February 2025 in Puerto Rico. Learn more [HERE].