Life is a journey filled with constant movement. We experience exciting new chapters and navigate challenging endings, all of which shape who we become. While some changes feel like a breath of fresh air, others can bring significant stress and require a period of adjustment. These pivotal moments can sometimes feel like navigating a stormy sea, and at Bloom Behavioral Health Partners, we understand the complexities of these times and are dedicated to offering support and guidance.
Wendy Kopitsch, LLMSW, a valued part of Bloom Behavioral Health Partners, offers insights into navigating these shifts. Her experience helps us understand the common experiences and effective strategies for finding our footing during times of change.
Many people feel they don’t “qualify” for therapy or that their problems aren’t “big enough” to warrant seeking support. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Therapy isn’t reserved for extreme situations; it’s a resource for anyone seeking a supportive and confidential space to explore their thoughts and feelings, gain self-awareness, and develop coping skills for the everyday ups and downs of life.
Understanding Common Life Changes and Their Impact
Life throws a variety of transitions our way, each with its unique set of challenges. When we consider the types of life changes that often lead to stress, Wendy highlights several key areas: “Relationships: both when they begin and when they end, are often the biggest sources of stress. Following closely is any kind of loss… this could be a shift in family dynamics, like a child leaving for college, or the difficult transition to becoming a caregiver.”
Think about it: the excitement and vulnerability of starting a new romantic relationship, the grief and re-evaluation that comes with a breakup or divorce, the profound shift in identity and routine when a child leaves home for college, or the immense responsibility and emotional toll of becoming a primary caregiver for a loved one. These are all significant life events that require substantial emotional and practical adaptation. Even if these experiences don’t feel like a “major crisis,” the emotional impact can still be significant, and therapy can provide valuable support in navigating these adjustments.
Beyond these, other major life changes can also be incredibly difficult to navigate alone. Consider the stress of a significant career change, whether voluntary or involuntary, which can impact not only your financial stability but also your sense of purpose and identity. Moving to a new city or state can uproot your social support system and require building a new life from scratch. Even seemingly positive events like becoming a parent, while filled with joy, also bring immense responsibility, sleep deprivation, and shifts in relationships and personal time. As we journey through life, the process of aging itself can bring about changes in our physical health, social roles, and sense of self, requiring ongoing adaptation.
Whether it’s the joy of a new relationship, the sadness of one ending, the evolving dynamics of family life, the pain of loss, the demands of caregiving, the uncertainty of a career shift, the isolation of a big move, the overwhelming nature of new parenthood, or the gradual shifts of aging, these transitions all demand significant emotional and logistical adjustments. You don’t need to be at your breaking point to seek support in navigating these experiences.
The Emotional Side of Change
It’s completely normal to experience a wide range of emotions when facing a life transition. Wendy explains some of the most common feelings: “The most common emotion I see is anxiety, which often stems from fear of the unknown. Overwhelm is another very frequent response.”
The uncertainty that comes with change can easily trigger feelings of anxiety and worry about the future. The sheer task of adjusting to new circumstances, learning new routines, and facing the unfamiliar can also lead to feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained.
Knowing When It’s More Than Just Adjustment
While some stress is a natural part of adapting to change, it’s important to recognize when those feelings become too much to manage on your own. Wendy offers some key signs that it might be time to seek support:
“If you find yourself constantly thinking ‘I’m overwhelmed,’ or if you notice physical changes like significant shifts in your sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little), it’s a red flag. Another sign is when self-care becomes nonexistent, or the thought of it doesn’t even cross your mind because you feel you don’t have the ‘time’ or your mind is constantly racing.”
These indicators suggest that the stress of the transition is having a significant impact on your well-being and your ability to cope effectively in your daily life.
When to Seek Professional Support: Recognizing the Red Flags
Wendy emphasizes critical times when reaching out for professional therapy or counseling is particularly important, pointing out specific “red flags”:
“Changes in sleep patterns, persistent anxiety, ongoing sadness, or increasing isolation are all reasons to seek support. A significant red flag would definitely be an increase in substance use as a way to cope, or any kind of addictive behavior like gambling, excessive shopping, or overeating.”
These are serious signs that someone is struggling to cope in healthy ways and that professional help can provide essential support and guidance to navigate these challenges.
How Therapy Can Help During Times of Change
Therapy can be an incredibly valuable resource when navigating significant life transitions. Wendy explains some of the key ways a therapist can help:
“Having someone who will truly listen and offer a different perspective can be so helpful. For example, a therapist might point out that feeling exhausted is a completely normal response to a challenging situation. We also use techniques like mindful self-compassion to help people accept that it’s okay to struggle during these times. And, of course, therapy provides practical coping strategies for things like low mood, sleep difficulties, and anxiety, such as breathing exercises and simple mindfulness to help quiet racing thoughts and worries.”
A therapist offers a safe and supportive space to process your emotions, gain new insights, develop healthy ways to cope, and practice self-compassion during challenging times, empowering you to navigate the complexities of change with greater resilience. Many of our experienced partners here at Bloom Behavioral Health Partners have specialized expertise in helping individuals navigate the complexities of life’s transitions.
If You’re Hesitant About Therapy
For those who feel overwhelmed by a life transition but are unsure about seeking therapy, Wendy offers this reassuring thought: “We all need support at different points in our lives… think of it like medicine – if it’s available and can help, why not use it?”
Reaching out for therapy is a sign of strength and self-awareness, not weakness. It’s about proactively taking care of your mental and emotional health during times when you might need it most.
Finding Strength and Support Beyond Therapy
In addition to professional support, Wendy shared some helpful resources for finding strength during times of change: “I often recommend the app Insight Timer. It offers a wide variety of guided meditations, talks, music, and even binaural beats that can be really helpful for relaxation and finding a sense of calm.”
Utilizing calming apps and exploring websites that offer mindfulness techniques can provide valuable tools to manage stress and support your well-being in between therapy sessions, offering accessible ways to cultivate inner peace.
Navigating life’s transitions is a fundamental part of being human. By understanding the common challenges, acknowledging our emotional responses, and knowing when to seek support, we can move through these periods with greater resilience and self-compassion. Remember, therapy is a valuable form of support available to everyone, regardless of the perceived size of their challenges. It’s about investing in your well-being and having a dedicated space to process your experiences.
If you’re currently facing a significant life change and feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to reach out for support. You can connect directly with any of our dedicated therapists listed on our team page, or contact our main office at 616-202-2138. You can also fill out the convenient form on our “Contact Us” page. We are here to help you find your footing and navigate these waves with greater ease.