š Preparing for Transitions Without Panic
A Therapistās Perspective on Seasonal Shifts
This weekās Tend to it Tuesday focused on preparing for transitions, especially the subtle but persistent return of fall rhythms, without tipping into overdrive.
From the therapistās side of the room, itās clear how these seasonal shifts show up somatically. But more importantly, transitions often stir something deep for many people, not just mentally, but physically.
š§ When Transitions Feel Too Loud
Seasonal change can amplify stress in ways that arenāt always obvious. And sometimes environmental shifts are also too subtle to notice. While the light has changed at 5 am, maybe your breath has shortened, your thoughts have started to race a bit, or your calendar has begun to fill next month before youāve had a chance to check in with yourself.
Thereās nothing wrong with you. Your body is responding to what feels unfamiliar or demanding.
Sometimes preparation turns into over-preparing. Sometimes the urge to āget aheadā comes from an underlying sense that there wonāt be space to rest later.
If this sounds familiar, youāre not alone, and youāre not doing it wrong.
Instead of bracing for change (muscle tension, shortened breath), what might happen if we softened into it?
š Supportive Practices for Transitional Times
Here are a few body-based ways to support your system during seasonal transitions ā not as fixes, but as gentle invitations:
Seasonal reflection: Pause to notice how summer closing usually lands for you. Is there grief, excitement, fatigue, or pressure?
Transitional anchors: Consider keeping a comforting object nearby that signals steadiness, such as a favourite mug, tea, blanket, long-sleeve shirt, or hat.
Pause points: Find natural breaks in your day to breathe, shift posture, or feel your feet ā even for 30 seconds. This past week, I have found myself humming a lot more to stimulate calm. Humming also helps regulate your natural breathing rhythm.
Capacity check-ins: Before committing, ask yourself: āDo I have capacity for this?ā instead of only āDo I have time?ā
Transitions donāt need to be managed perfectly. They can be met with awareness, which will help us all soften and feel safe.
šļø Take It Into Therapy
Here are some gentle ways to bring transition stress into your next session:
āThis time of year always stirs something for me. I feel it in my (name body part) and Iād like to explore that.ā
āI notice I get extra busy around seasonal shifts ā can we look at whatās underneath that?ā
āI want to move into fall feeling more grounded. Could we work on tools that support that?ā
Therapy can offer space to name and process transition, without needing to fix or rush it.
Thatās all for now.
Thanks for tending to your system.
š¬ Want to explore nervous system care through transitions?
šļø Book a free 15-minute consult