In his book, Navigating Transitions, W. Bridges describes the difference between changes and transitions. Changes are external ~ something ends and something new begins. Transitions are internal ~ the emotional and psychological process that people go through as they adjust to a change and a new situation. During a transition, we are in the emotional space of change where something is ending and something new is beginning, called the ‘neutral zone’. The neutral zone feels confusing, chaotic, and disorienting, and is where most of us have been for the past 5 to 6 months.
Imagine that you’re moving houses. The physical move is the change ~ packing, moving, unpacking. But the transition is a lengthy emotional process of adjustment. It’s the psychological response to the change ~ letting go of your old house and neighbourhood, feeling unanchored, and then trying to settle in and adjust to your new home and surroundings. There can be a sense of loss and grief during this time, and it can feel disruptive, chaotic, and overwhelming. That’s where we currently are in the pandemic.
There are some things that might help to navigate this transition and the neutral zone we find ourselves in. Here are a few ideas:
Acknowledge and accept that we’re in an uncomfortable and disorienting neutral zone for the time being. We’re in the transitional space between an ending and a new beginning. (Life designers ~ a pandemic is a perfect example of a gravity problem).
Set the bar low! Try to keep demands on yourself reasonable and treat yourself with compassion.
A helpful generative reframe as summer winds down and we head into the fall might be, ‘this is good enough for now’.
