By Lexi Nass, LCSW

As the school year comes to an end, those who have graduated have now entered a new chapter of their life. After years of being surrounded by the same people, in the same environment, and having somewhat of the same routine, the comfort you worked so hard to create is now changing as you begin to enter a new phase. This new chapter may be filled with uncertainty and navigating this transition may feel scary and intimidating. It’s important to recognize how far you have come to get here, and that while change may feel scary, this is such an exciting milestone. This new chapter you are about to enter is full of possibilities, exciting next steps, and new memories to make. You have just worked so hard to get where you are today, and now you get the opportunity to apply your skills, both academically and socially, into a new environment. Here are some tips to help navigate and manage anxiety surrounding life-transitions:

Embrace change: Change can feel overwhelming because of the uncertainty that comes with it. While it may feel scary at first, it’s important to remind yourself that you were once in these shoes before! Similarly, entering college was new and unfamiliar, and as tough and scary as it may have been at the time, you were able to get through it! The anxiety and overwhelming feelings you experience at first are temporary and with time, you will soon create a new way of life filled with a new routine and new friends. Being open and accepting of change can provide you with a more positive experience that allows you to immerse yourself into a new reality filled with new opportunities you get to create for yourself. How cool is that?

Create a routine: In times of uncertainty, it is often helpful to create a routine for yourself. By building a routine, it will provide you with structure and help you feel more in control during a time where you may feel a loss of control in other aspects of your life. A routine may be composed of creating a daily schedule or outline consisting of the tasks you need to do on that day. This can include things like working out, going to work, eating dinner, watching a TV show or hanging out with friends. In addition to your typical daily routine, make some room for self-care! Finding time throughout your day to focus on you and what makes you feel good is so important to help feel your best. These self-care activities may include going for a walk, doing an at home facial, taking a bath, listening to music, or reading a book. Incorporating things that bring you joy in your daily routine will help you stay motivated with accomplishing your goals, while also prioritizing what makes you feel good.

Learn healthy ways to cope with your feelings: One of the most important things to remember during this time is that your mental health is so important! If you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, nervous or stressed, remember, you are not alone! This time can feel scary, and that is completely normal. Learning healthy ways to cope during this time will help you feel more in control of your negative feelings and thoughts. This can also be a time to try therapy for the first time. Some coping skills to try may be breathing exercises, meditation, going for a walk, journaling, grounding exercises, or reaching out to a friend or a professional.

If you are experiencing a difficult time navigating life-transitions, or just looking to develop coping skills to manage your feelings of anxiety or stress, please reach out to hello@upsidertherapy.com.