Navigating Life Transitions: How to Stay Grounded When Everything is Changing
Life transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s a new job, moving to a different city, the end of a relationship, or even a significant shift in your health, change has a way of unsettling us in ways we don’t always expect. Personally, I’ve had my fair share of transitions Some welcomed, others not so much—and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that staying grounded isn’t about resisting change, but learning how to find your center when everything around you feels chaotic.
The truth is, every life transition—big or small—can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into the abyss of what comes next. So how do we stay grounded when everything around us is shifting? How do we find calm in the middle of change? Here are some techniques that have helped me through the most tumultuous times in my life, and I hope they can help you too.
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on in navigating change was trying to hold on to what was. Whether it was holding onto a job that no longer aligned with my values or clinging to an identity that I’d outgrown, my instinct was to resist the discomfort of transition.
It’s human nature to want to feel secure and safe. But growth and change often come from discomfort. Instead of resisting that feeling, lean into it. Acknowledge that it’s there, and see it as a signal that you’re moving towards something different—something potentially better, even if you can’t quite see it yet.
When I left my career in the ICU, I struggled with this deeply. For years, that role had defined me. I was a nurse, I knew the ins and outs of patient care, and there was a sense of control in that space that I had grown attached to. Leaving wasn’t just about changing jobs; it was about letting go of a version of myself that felt safe and known. But the longer I resisted the discomfort of leaving, the more stuck I felt. Eventually, I had to acknowledge that discomfort was part of the process, not something to be avoided.
Practice Tip: Whenever you feel that sense of discomfort during a transition, pause and breathe. Place your hand over your heart or on your waist and allow yourself to feel it fully for a few moments. Instead of pushing it away, breathe into it. The goal isn’t to get rid of it, but to let yourself sit with it until it passes—because it always does. This is how to stay grounded during life transitions.
When things around us are changing, it’s easy to disconnect from our bodies. Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty can all pull us out of the present moment, leaving us feeling untethered and out of control. One of the most powerful ways to ground yourself during transitions is to come back to your body.
For me, Jnana Yoga has been the key to finding that grounded connection. Yoga, especially when practiced without any spiritual or religious undertones, provides a way to connect deeply with your body, to feel its strength, its limits, and its presence in the here and now. The simple act of moving through asanas or focusing on breath work can be enough to remind you that even when everything else feels out of control, your body is still here. You are still here.
During my flare-ups, when my health feels like it’s shifting beneath my feet, I often feel like my body is betraying me. But coming back to my practice—even if it’s just a few minutes of gentle stretching or deep breathing—grounds me in the present moment and reminds me that I’m still in control of how I move through the world.
Practice Tip: Try a grounding yoga pose like Child’s Pose or Legs-Up-The-Wall for a few minutes every day. Focus on your breath and the sensation of your body making contact with the earth. Feel the support beneath you, and remind yourself that even in times of transition, the ground is still holding you.
When we moved across the country for the first time, I felt incredibly ungrounded. My partner was starting school, and I had moved without a job lined up, which left me feeling unstable and out of control. All the things that had once provided structure in my life—work, community, familiarity—were suddenly gone, and I was left floundering.
This is where establishing small routines and rituals can give you a sense of control and stability. It doesn’t have to be anything grand. Something as simple as starting your day with a cup of tea, journaling for a few minutes, or taking a walk at the same time every day can serve as an anchor when everything else feels like it’s in flux.
These small, intentional routines helped me feel like I had some control during a time that felt excitingly unstable.
Practice Tip: Identify one or two small rituals you can incorporate into your day, especially during times of transition. It could be a morning meditation, journaling your thoughts, or even cooking a meal with full attention. The key is consistency—something to look forward to that reminds you there are still constants in your life.
There’s a common tendency during transitions to retreat inward, to try and figure everything out on our own.
I’ve always been someone who likes to figure things out on my own. But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during transitions is that you don’t have to go through them alone. When I started taking medication to support my OCD, I felt conflicted. I had initially seen the medication as a bridge—something to use temporarily until I “figured things out.” But as I started to feel more balanced and grounded, I realized I didn’t actually want to come off it. This was a huge shift in my mindset, and I struggled with the decision.
During that time, I leaned heavily on my support system—friends, my partner, my therapist. They helped me see that choosing to stay on medication wasn’t a sign of failure or weakness; it was simply a way to support myself. I realized that reaching out for support, whether it’s from friends, family, or professionals, is one of the most grounding things you can do during a transition.
Practice Tip: Don’t be afraid to lean on your support system when you’re going through a transition. Call a friend, talk to a mentor, or reach out to a therapist. You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there for you can make all the difference.
Transitions, by their very nature, are opportunities for growth. But it’s easy to lose sight of that when you’re in the middle of one. Instead of seeing a life transition as something happening to you, try reframing it as something happening for you.
This doesn’t mean you have to force positivity or ignore the challenges that come with change. Acknowledge the difficulties, but also look for the opportunities. What are you learning? How are you growing? What parts of yourself are being called to evolve in this moment?
I had to reframe my mindset when I started struggling with my health. At first, all I could see was what I was losing. My energy, my ability to do the things I used to do. But over time, I began to see how this transition was teaching me new ways to care for myself, new ways to connect with my body, and new opportunities to rest. It wasn’t easy, but reframing the way I saw my health allowed me to approach it with more grace and less resistance.
Practice Tip: The next time you’re faced with a transition, consider how to Stay Grounded During Life transitions ask yourself: “What is this moment teaching me?” Write down your answer, even if it’s not immediately clear. This simple shift in perspective can help you stay grounded and open to the possibilities that change can bring.
Life transitions are inevitable, but you don’t have to feel completely thrown off course by them. By:
you can find your center even in the most chaotic of times. Remember, it’s not about avoiding change—it’s about learning to move with it, staying grounded as you navigate the unknown.
And most importantly, be kind to yourself during these times. Transitioning isn’t easy, but with the right tools and mindset, you’ll find that you’re more capable of embracing change than you ever imagined.
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