Embracing the Transition and Protecting Your Peace

As the season shifts, so do our routines. We're transitioning back to school, back to teaching, and back to the daily grind. It's a time of change, and with change often comes stress and uncertainty. But here's the thing: it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

 Transitioning successfully starts within. It begins with a single step, not a sprint. We don't have to tackle everything at once. Instead, we pick one thing—one small change—and stick with it. Consistency is key. Notice, I said consistency, not perfection. There's a significant difference between the two, and believe me, I know it well.

For so long, society has pushed the idea that doing more means being more. But even when you're giving your all, you might still feel like you’re not enough. Trauma can amplify that inner critic, whispering that you're damaged, broken, or a fraud. I’ve been there. I have countless memories that validated those lies—until I decided that it was no longer enough for me.

It wasn’t easy. It took years of hard work, physically and emotionally, but eventually, I started hearing my own voice—the voice of the authentic self I had lost. Reclaiming that voice was a battle, and it still is. But it’s also liberating. Writing has been a part of that liberation, a way for me to share my journey and connect with others who might be struggling too.

Don't get me wrong; it’s been a grind. Going out on my own, taking risks daily—it’s all been hard. But I committed to changing what I could: myself, my reactions, my responses, and the messages I tell myself. So whether you're stepping into something new, returning to something familiar, or just going through the motions, this is for you. 

Here are some practices that have helped me protect my peace during transitions, grounded in psychology and human behavior:

  1. Start with Solitude: Find time alone, away from technology and distractions. Nature, a pen, a few journals, and some books became my companions. In the quiet, I could listen, pray, and ground myself.

  2. Embrace the Process: Healing and growth are not linear. It's a start-stop, fall-repair-heal kind of journey, but every step forward is progress.

  3. Focus on What You Can Control: You can't control everything, but you can control your reactions and the narratives you create for yourself. Change begins with you.

  4. Stay Consistent, Not Perfect: Small, consistent actions build momentum. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress.

These practices are not just my own—they are rooted in the wisdom of experts and backed by science. They have helped me find balance and protect my peace, even in the midst of chaos. 

 
 

This checklist is a simple tool to help you stay grounded and balanced during life's transitions. You can download it on my website, where it’s available as a free resource to guide you through the changes ahead.

I hope this inspires and encourages you as you navigate your own transitions.

 Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and protecting your peace is essential as you move forward.

Need help navigation your own Transitions? I can help you move forward! Let’s Chat!

Carrie Freshour

Carrie Freshour is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Carrie Freshour Consulting, LLC, a firm that empowers and equips individuals and teams to maximize their potential, navigate systems change and break down stigma to address the long-standing needs in the behavioral health field. Equity, fairness, and equality are at the core of the strategies she guides her individual and group clients to implement. Carrie leads from a purpose-filled lens of strength and resilience, weaving together her lived experience, clinical training, and executive leadership; She’s not afraid to have hard conversations to help teams, organizations, and people break through barriers to achieve and sustain results.

Having worked as a clinical social worker for over twenty-five years, she has extensive experience developing programs, and public awareness efforts, writing policies, and creating training curriculums in diverse settings. She’s a dynamic speaker and facilitator, leading community conversations and conducting community-wide assessments. In addition, she has led internal organizational operations and created inclusive cultures that empower teams to work authentically and transparently.

http://carriefreshourconsulting.com
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