Life’s inevitable changes can be like unexpected waves, crashing against the shore of our comfort zones. Whether it's a new job, a shift in relationships, or even personal growth, transitions often bring challenges and opportunities. The key to navigating these transitions is recognizing that they’re not just interruptions, but pathways to growth.
Change is tough for most of us, but without it, we remain stagnant. As Viktor Frankl (2006) emphasized in Man’s Search for Meaning, suffering itself is not what defines us; it is our response to suffering that gives life its meaning. When we're faced with the discomfort of transition, the way we approach it determines whether we grow or retreat. It's about mindset. Instead of resisting, what if we leaned in?
This reminds me of what Moore and Gillette (1990) pointed out in King, Warrior, Magician, Lover—we need to embrace the different aspects of our being during times of transition. Whether we channel the inner king for stability, the warrior for strength, or the magician for insight, we have the tools within us to navigate change.
During transitions, it's easy to focus on what’s lost or uncertain. Yet, as Connor Beaton (2020) highlights in Men's Work, these are moments when we can finally face the parts of ourselves we've been ignoring. They can be uncomfortable, sure, but they are also gateways to deeper self-understanding.
In embracing change, we give ourselves the chance to not just adapt, but to evolve. Emotional intelligence, as Vasquez (2021) outlines, plays a critical role here. By becoming aware of our emotions and the impact change has on us, we can use these feelings as a compass, guiding us through the rough patches. It's not about suppressing the emotions that arise during transitions, but acknowledging and working with them.
So next time we find ourselves at the crossroads of change, let’s remember that it’s okay to feel uneasy. After all, growth isn’t always comfortable. But if we keep moving forward with openness, using the tools and resources we've gathered along the way, we can emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
Work Cited
Beaton, C. (2020). Men's work: A practical guide to face your darkness, end self-sabotage & find freedom. Hay House.
Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press. (Original work published 1946)
Moore, R., & Gillette, D. (1990). King, warrior, magician, lover: Rediscovering the archetypes of the mature masculine. HarperOne.
Vasquez, J. (2021). Emotional intelligence groundwork. Emotional IQ Press.
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