Transitions are hard. You are quickly being taken from an area of comfort and used-to-ness and swiftly or not so swiftly transitioning into a zone of “I have no idea what to expect,” nervousness, excitedness, and probably FAR out of your comfort zone.
Ever since my second semester of my junior year of college, I felt like I was in transition. I was transitioning into my last year of college. My senior year I was transitioning into an adult that needed to know what she was going to do after graduating. Once she figured it out (the World Race), then she had to be in another transition INTO the Race for 5 months.
And it has been difficult for me. Coming back home from college to be home for only 5 months makes it difficult planting in a church. Coming home and then not having as many dear friends that you left back at college–also seriously difficult. I still dearly miss my college friends and professors and it makes me sad that I am missing out on their life.
Transitions are hard because it is only a momentary thing. Even if you do get used to them, things will most definitely quickly change. You are constantly out of your comfort zone and out of control.
But even though they are difficult, they are apart of life. And a needed part.
Transitions are a time for you to prepare for the next step. Well, or prepare as much as you can for something.
As I was talking to a guy friend last night, he said something along the lines of “The things we often learn come from uncomfortable circumstances.”
Here are some things I have learned while transitioning:
– You can expect a situation to be hard, but it will probably be harder than you imagine.
– In the midst of things you can’t control and wish you did, you have to be thankful for what you do have instead of what you don’t or “wish” you had. An attitude of gratitude is key here. I’ll be honest, though. I am still working on this one. It’s hard when there are frustrating things happening and you can’t control them. I’ve slowly been working on the few things I can change and the things I am grateful for despite those situations.
– There are things you will learn in some transitions that will help you with the big change.
– Transitions can teach you how to live in the moment and not rush around. Before things change drastically (whether it’s having a baby or going on year mission trip), enjoying the big and small things that will probably be different after the transition is important.
And I will admit, I still am not a fan of transitions in someways. But not many if anyone wants to be really outside of their comfort zone.
So though transitions are hard and yes, even suck…they need to be embraced. There is a lot of good that comes from them. Besides. It’s a sign that your life will never be the same by God’s grace.
