Sometimes, transitions are pretty clear, even as they’re happening. Changes like starting a new job, ending a relationship, or moving house are all pretty big transitions that we’re aware of and can prepare for.
However, sometimes it’s not always that easy to see. Sometimes, we can be in periods of transition without even knowing it…
Identifying Invisible Transitions
There are different kinds of transitions. The big physical ones, like the ones I mentioned above, are easier to spot because they’re external, or they require a clear decision from you.
Others can be more emotional or mental transitions.
Think about it this way: You are not the same person you were one, five, or ten years ago. We’re constantly changing according to our experiences and influences, but if you asked yourself each and every month, you probably wouldn’t be able to identify what exactly is changing.
It’s only in hindsight that we can see how those transitions affect who we are today - and what caused them. Although you don’t really need to be aware of these transitions as they’re happening, it can be helpful to reflect on how far we’ve come.
Reflecting on Your Progress
Tracking progress and being proud of our achievements is a great way to stay motivated. It can also help you to assess your goals. Comparing how you’ve changed over the last six months, one year, or even up to five or ten years can give you a perspective on how close you are to achieving your goals.
Without that perspective, we can lose sight of what we’re aiming for. In order to keep a clear vision of where we want to go, we need to also appreciate how we’ve changed in the past.
Inevitably, our experiences are going to change the directions we want to go. These transitions are going to trigger something else in you. An experience you had 10 years ago will hit you differently than if you had that experience today. Having that awareness of how you’ve changed is vital for healthy growth.
What’s Next?
As you look to the new year ahead, I encourage you to do things:
(1) Consider what transitions you experienced this year, so you can celebrate.
(2) Look ahead to possible transitions in the year ahead, so you can prepare.
Now that you’ve identified visible and invisible transitions, I want to help you grapple with them. Download my free guide, “Five Steps to Clarity During Life's Transitions,” right here.