The Role of Self-Care in Times of Transitions
Highlighting the importance of self-care for maintaining well-being during transitions.
Woman sitting on a bench on top of the hill contemplating a sunset - Image by Sage Friedman from Unsplash
Life's journey is a tapestry of transitions that come with times of change. If there’s one constant we can bet on in life, it’s change. As a professional woman wearing so many hats, transitions can be particularly challenging. And as a professional black woman, I know the challenge can be even more unique for women of color. Today, I’m taking you on a different type of journey. Our destination? The profound impact of self-care in the midst of change.
A word about life transitions
Life transitions are those pivotal moments of transformation that come with external changes.
As the seasons change, so do we – externally and internally. It's a time for reflection, both on external shifts like career moves and the internal changes that reshape our very essence.
Let's explore the nuances that come with the dance of change so you can align with each phase of transition.
The Significance of Self-Care
At the heart of navigating life transitions with ease and confidence, is the mighty practice of self-care. Defined as “intentional actions to preserve or improve one's well-being”, self-care is your trusty compass. A deliberate and conscious commitment to SELF is the key that unlocks a world of well-being, ease, resilience, and empowerment.
As pleasurable as bubble baths with candles and soothing music are, what I’m talking about here goes deeper than those external “nice things” we all refer to as self-care. Baths, massages, and treating yourself are all good practices to add to the more in-depth care for your body, mind, and soul. But first, we want to address emotional well-being, mental fortitude, and social connection.
In my work with clients, three types of self-care are non-negotiable, especially during times of change and through the different phases of transition.
Emotional Self-Care
Welcoming and accepting the spectrum of emotions that come with any life transition is part of cultivating your emotional well-being.
Change brings excitement and opportunity, but with it, moments of uncertainty and vulnerability also come crashing when you least expect them.
Implementing strategies for emotional self-care will help you stay grounded through these emotional currents confidently.
The practices:
Awareness, Acknowledgement, Expression - Learning to recognize, accept and express your emotions is a crucial step and self-care practice during times of change. Emotions come and go, but it’s important to acknowledge and respect them. Keeping them trapped and/or ignoring them will only cause stress in your body.
Mindfulness and Meditation - Implementing practices that bring you a sense of groundedness and peace, keeping you centered anytime chaos presents itself. These practices will also help you acknowledge and work with/through emotions.
Building and Seeking Support - As a resilient woman, it can be hard to ask for support, having a network of both professionals and personal connections you can lean on is an important piece of self-care.
Spiritual Practices - Regardless of your religious affiliations, engaging in activities that nurture that nurture soul and create a deeper connection to yourself will help you cultivate your inner strength.
Times of change can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. Let these practices be your safety bar and ride that roller coaster with confidence.
Mental Self-Care
Cultivating “mental fortitude” is about ensuring your mind has the tools to confidently face the complexities of transitions.
Mental self-care is about strengthening your ability to see opportunity in the face of challenge, approach obstacles with a solutions mindset and use positivity as a shield against self-doubt.
The Practices:
Realistic Goal Setting - You have big, bold goals and that is a great way to ensure continuous growth and success. But establishing achievable objectives when you’re undergoing changes and crossing the different phases of transition is key to your overall well-being. Break down larger objectives into manageable milestones.
Positive Mindset - This isn’t about avoiding issues with positive thinking, it’s about cultivating a positive mindset through repetition and practices that retrain your brain to have positive responses over time. Practices like positive self-talk, affirmations, journaling, daily routines and working with a professional all help you develop a positive mindset.
Continuous Learning - Think of personal development and growth as your constant companion in life. Transitions are part of your transformations throughout life, they require embracing adaptation and evolution. Embracing personal development as a constant companion. Approaching your life’s journey with curiosity, an open mind and thirst for knowledge is the best personal development tool you can have.
Let these practices anchor you amidst change. With achievable goals, a positive mindset and the spirit of continuous learning, you’ve got a roadmap for success.
Social Self-Care
This dimension of self-care emphasizes the importance of relationships during times of change. In the Emotional Self-Care section I mentioned the importance of building a network of support and being able to ask for that support when needed. In this section we’ll delve deeper into these social connections.
The Practices:
Healthy Relationships - Whether we like it or not, as humans, we’re wired for connection with other humans. Nurturing and maintaining the connections that uplift and support you is so important to help you get through those rough patches during times of change. These connections can provide valuable perspectives, encouragement and understanding when you most need it.
Boundaries - Recognize the importance of balancing “nurturing” relationships with establishing clear boundaries to protect your time, energy and well-being. Having clear and strong boundaries will help you balance professional and personal commitments without burnout. As well as provide you with a healthy equilibrium when you require alone time for self-reflection during the different transition phases.
Support System - connecting with your network of support on a regular basis and when you need it. While your healthy relationships are part of this, there are additional resources to build your community that understand, encourage, and can give you an outside perspective. This support system can include private groups, a coach, or other professionals who understand this intricate journey of transformation.
Building this network, maintaining cherished relationships, and connecting with individuals who share similar experiences will foster a continuous sense of belonging.
While expanding your network to those who may not share similar experience can push you to grow and learn.
Your journey can be shared and become a source of inspiration and empowerment for yourself and others.
Don’t forget, nurturing your connection to yourself is just as important. Time alone will become an opportunity to reflect and reset.
And speaking of not forgetting…
We've danced through the emotional, mental and social realms of self-care. I have to at least touch on the importance of taking care of your physical self.
Without health, all of this becomes a much harder mountain to climb. If you don’t already have physical self-care routines, this is a great place to start. Prioritize getting proper sleep. Nourish your body with good wholesome nutrition. Make exercise the rhythm that keeps you moving and grooving forward.
Integrating Self-Care During Phases of Transitions
Strategy isn’t just a buzzword here, creating, maintaining and committing a self-care plan will become your personal GPS as you navigate transitions.
In my work with clients, we create a Transitions Hub that includes strategies to create and implement a solid foundation with a plan to guide you.
Having a set plan will help you:
Address potential barriers
Balance competing demands
Deal with cultural and family views
Name and acknowledge struggles
Seek support as needed
Get back and stay on track
Now that we’ve gone through a full journey through the significance of self-care during transitions, let's wrap up with the essentials.
Championing your own emotional, mental, social, and physical well-being can’t be overstated. Creating a plan to prioritize your overall well-being in times of change is your golden ticket to smoother transitions and fulfilling transformations. You have the simple power practices in this article, the best time to start is now.
If you’re looking for a co-pilot to help you steer the uncharted waters of change and times of transition, I’m here to help. Together, we'll customize a plan to conquer each transition with confidence and ease.