Transitioning
/trænˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ/
ON A FALL WALK 2024
/trænˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ/
The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
etymology:
The word "transition" comes from the Latin "transitionem" (nominative transitio), meaning "a going across or over." It's derived from the past participle stem of "transire": "trans-" meaning "across" + "ire" meaning "to go".
Rooted in this etymological essence of 'going across', the concept of transition finds profound expression in the work of French philosopher Henri Bergson. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927 and known for his work on time, free will, and evolution, Bergson captured the dynamic nature of existence when he stated:
"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."
Bergson developed the concept of "duration" (durée), which he saw as real time experienced by consciousness, as opposed to mathematical, abstract time. He referred to life as a continuous flow of experiences that blend into each other, that can't be divided into discrete units like clock time.
He viewed reality as a constant transition. Reality being dynamic, not static - life as a transitory state - felt, rather than measured.
For example, when we are engrossed in an enjoyable activity, time might seem to fly by quickly. Conversely, when we're bored or anxious, time might seem to drag. This is “duration” - time as experienced by consciousness. It’s been attributed to Einstein, that he quipped about the relativity of perceived time:
“When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think it's only a minute, but when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it's two hours. That's relativity.”
In navigating the constant ebb and flow of life, we often find ourselves caught between the desire to cling to what we know and the fear of what lies ahead. This resistance to the natural flow of transition is in a way like bargaining with our circumstances, fearing the loss of what we have while simultaneously worrying about not achieving what we want.
Ultimately, this struggle distracts us from being present in the moment, as we seem to overlook that life is not a static entity but a dynamic situation that is continuously evolving.
Embracing change means recognizing that resistance drains our energy and hinders our growth. Whereas leaning into transition, allows it to guide us toward new possibilities and deeper connections.
As the British-American philosopher Alan Watts, renowned for popularizing Eastern philosophy in the West encouraged us:
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."
There are many areas in science and nature that don’t doubt transition being the way forward:
Evolution: The process of natural selection demonstrates how species transition over time to adapt to changing environments. This ongoing transformation is the cornerstone of life's diversity and resilience. For instance, the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria showcases rapid adaptation to new challenges, highlighting how transition is not just beneficial but often essential for survival.
Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, especially in response to learning or experience. This remarkable capacity for change allows us to learn new skills, recover from brain injuries, and adapt to new situations. It's a testament to the brain's inherent flexibility and the power of transition at a cellular level.
Phase transitions in physics: The water cycle is a perfect illustration of nature's continuous transition. Water evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain, flows in rivers, and returns to the sea, nurturing life at every stage. This cycle not only sustains life but also shapes our planet's geology and climate, demonstrating how transitions at a molecular level can have far-reaching impacts on entire ecosystems.
These examples underscore the ubiquity and importance of transition in our world, from the microscopic to the cosmic scale. They remind us that change and adaptation are not just occasional events but constant processes that shape our reality.
Charles Darwin poignantly stated:
“It´s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change”
Although leaning into transition has a liberating ring to it, I often find myself resisting with full force before inching towards seeing if it might not be as scary as I had suspected.
This resistance to change manifests in the most mundane yet telling ways. The other day, I was chuckling with a friend who admits that she refrains from putting on long pants as long as she can after the summer, showing up in a huge sweater, with thick socks and bare legs. I had to admit to catching a cold probably due to dragging out the transition to wearing autumn clothes, as I prefer being barefoot as long as possible - illustrating how we often struggle to embrace even the most minor transitions.
It can feel overwhelming when life asks us to transition, such as letting a friendship evolve into a new phase. Having moved countries five times, I've learned that every external move demands acceptance of numerous changes, including internal shifts that are often painfully confusing before they settle into a new alignment.
There's also the challenge of accepting when a chapter in our lives has naturally concluded. Yet, by resisting the end of a phase, we might be underestimating the potential for renewal on a larger scale that we're inadvertently blocking.
Lacking confidence in the power of transition, I remained in my last romantic relationship longer than was healthy, despite knowing deep down it had run its course. This delay likely made the eventual transition more abrupt and forceful, reminding me of Jack Welch's quote:"
"Change before you have to."
This shift was a loud pointer to go with the current rather than inefficiently burning fuel by resisting it. However, we should not unkindly hold our past against ourselves - I transitioned when I could, and life reliably knows when inevitable change is on the agenda. It just sometimes comes with a bit of a bang, exponentially forceful in proportion to our prior resistance, when the gap between illusionary solidity and actual transition closes.
Encouragingly though, as transitioning is a state of movement—it is a chance for forward momentum and expansion, as the Chinese proverb goes:
"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills."
While the smallest transitions can feel daunting, they also often are a chance. And it ultimately seems more efficient to move along with transformation instead of challenging it.
So, when people and circumstances exit our lives, it seems less energy-consuming to let them leave than to hold on (admittedly easier said than done). Treating these exits as part of an ongoing transition rather than something final, encourages me to question whether there’s ever a real beginning or ending to our experiences, making the overall idea of endings less daunting. Ultimately reminding me of the rather obvious we like overlooking…
…to evolve you have to let go of wanting to stay the same…
This perspective helps me maintain enthusiasm for things when they seem to stubbornly refrain from advancing in the way I would like them to.
And most importantly I frequently have to remind myself that the most profound transitions are inwardly, not outwardly. Our mindset, inner world and capacity of awareness guiding our outer transitions as they synchronise with our inner world.
Accepting that nothing is solid—most importantly ourselves—can be intimidating when life’s rollercoaster relentlessly challenges our comfort zones. Yet, the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who is best known for his doctrine of change being central to the universe pointedly stated:
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man."
Moving with constant transition is about being open to fresh perspectives—living expansively instead of retreating into a status quo or, worse yet, the past. As Stephen Hawking encourages us in 'Brief Answers to Big Questions', intelligence is characterized by adaptability as we transition through life, summarized pointedly as:
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change."
Leaning into ongoing transition can bring relief in situations that seem hard to bear. Knowing that ongoing transitions will eventually take us forward can provide comfort and hope.
The potential Benefits of Transition:
Renewed perspective: Transitions shake up our worldview, allowing us to see life from fresh angles.
Increased resilience: Each transition we navigate strengthens our ability to adapt to future changes.
Personal evolution: Change catalyzes self-discovery and helps us evolve into more authentic versions of ourselves.
Unexpected opportunities: Transitions often lead us to possibilities we couldn't have imagined in our previous state.
Enhanced creativity: Adapting to new situations stimulates innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Deeper connections: As we grow through transitions, we often form more meaningful relationships with others that are willing to go deeper.
Resilience in adversity: Embracing transition equips us better to handle unexpected or unwanted changes, fostering hope and adaptability in challenging times.
This mindset of embracing transition becomes particularly valuable when faced with unexpected or unwanted changes. By cultivating adaptability and openness to transition in all aspects of life, we build resilience that helps us navigate even the most challenging times with hope and grace.
By viewing transition as a source of hope rather than fear, we can tap into its transformative power. As Dr. Gabor Maté, the renowned Hungarian-Canadian physician, and author reminds us in “In the realm of hungry ghosts - close encounters with addiction:”
“The possibility of renewal exists so long life exists.”
This perspective allows us to approach each change with curiosity and optimism, knowing that it carries the seeds of our next phase of growth.
Practical Strategies for getting comfortable with Transition:
Practice mindfulness: Staying present in the moment to reduce anxiety about future changes.
Develop a growth mindset: Viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and development.
Create a support network: Surrounding yourself with people who encourage and support you during transitions.
Set small, achievable goals: Break down big changes into manageable steps.
Maintain self-care routines: Prioritize physical and mental health during times of transition.
Journal about your experiences: Reflect on your thoughts and feelings to gain clarity and perspective.
Embrace new experiences: Regularly step out of your comfort zone in small ways to build adaptability.
Practice gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of change to shift your perspective, for example, by journaling.
Visualize success: Imagine positive outcomes to build confidence in your ability to handle transitions.
Learn from past transitions: Reflect on how you've successfully navigated changes in the past.
Embracing transition doesn't mean we won't face challenges or discomfort; it allows us instead to flow with life's rhythm rather than constantly swim against the current.
As we practice acceptance and adaptability, we may find that what once seemed daunting becomes an opportunity for growth and self-discovery—ongoing transition ultimately being an opportunity for redefining ourselves and how we relate to the moment. While being one of the most daunting things to accept, transition possibly also is our biggest reason for hope.
Have you asked yourself:
Are you worried to lose what you have?
Are you worried to not get what you want?
Are you struggling with accepting the pace at which things are going?
Can you warm up to the idea that you are where you are supposed to be right now?
What happens when you resist?