Life Transitions: 5 Ways to Rediscover Yourself in Times of Change
I’ll never forget the moment I transitioned into a new role in my career in 2018. For so long, I had been responsible for others—leading a team, guiding a program, carrying the weight of decisions and outcomes. And then, one day, I found myself in a position where my responsibility was only to myself and the people I served. It was a shift I didn’t fully anticipate.
At first, it felt like a loss—an identity I had built for so long was no longer there. I had spent almost 5 years shaping the direction of others, and now, I had more time to breathe, more space to think.
It felt unsettling, even uncomfortable, but in the midst of that uncertainty, I discovered something profound: it was exactly what I needed.
That period, though challenging, became a season of rediscovery. It was a time for reflection, a chance to reconnect with who I truly was outside of the roles I had worn for several years. I wasn’t just a leader anymore. I was me, unfiltered and present in a way I hadn’t been in years.
Life has a way of pushing us into transitions, whether we choose them or not. Some transitions are planned, others are forced upon us. But regardless of how they come about, those moments of change present an opportunity—not just to adapt, but to reinvent.
Letting go of an old identity can be hard. Moving forward is often easier said than done when the past still holds so much weight. The comfort of what we knew keeps us anchored, but it’s in those moments of transition that we have the chance to redefine ourselves. We don’t have to stay stuck in the past; we have the power to move into something new, something better aligned with who we are becoming.
5 Strategies to Help You Reconnect With Yourself During Life Transitions
If you find yourself in the midst of a transition, here are a few strategies that helped me along the way:
1. Allow Yourself to Grieve
Transitions often come with a sense of loss. The identity you had for so long is no longer part of your present, and that can stir up a range of emotions. It’s okay to grieve. Giving yourself permission to feel sad, uncertain, or even frustrated creates space for healing and growth.
2. Rediscover Your Core Values
When everything around you changes, it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with your true values. What truly matters to you? What do you want your life to reflect?
For me, this period helped me focus more on personal well-being, meaningful connections, and serving others in ways that felt more authentic. Rediscovering your values can guide you through life transitions with clarity and purpose.
3. Give Yourself Time and Grace
Transitions take time. There’s no need to rush the process or force yourself to have everything figured out. Take it day by day. The space I gave myself during this period allowed me to reflect and gain clarity on what mattered most in the present.
4. Challenge Your Old Narrative
We often define ourselves by past roles, accomplishments, or labels. But those old narratives don’t have to dictate who we are now or who we’ll be in the future. What parts of your identity are truly yours, and which parts were shaped by external expectations?
Letting go of outdated labels can open the door to new possibilities and a deeper understanding of yourself.
5. Embrace the Possibilities Ahead
While transitions in life can feel overwhelming, they also hold incredible opportunity. Letting go of what no longer serves you creates space for something new. Look ahead with curiosity and openness, knowing that the future holds possibilities you might not have imagined.
In my case, stepping into this new role allowed me to reconnect with the essence of why I do what I do: to serve others in a meaningful way.
Life Transitions: Why Letting Go Is the First Step Forward
Moving forward isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. To move forward, you have to make peace with what was. That doesn’t mean forgetting your past; it means honoring it, learning from it, and finding gratitude for the lessons it brought. Only then can you fully embrace the potential of what’s to come.
Looking back, I see that it was in that pause, that space of letting go, that I truly rediscovered what I was called to do.
After some time of reflection and growth, I stepped back into a leadership role when I moved back to Central Louisiana to open Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting.
This time, the work was different—I was no longer just guiding others; I was building something new, leading a team that shared my values and vision for a counseling practice that could deeply impact our community.
But I know now that I would have never had the clarity or confidence to take on this role if I hadn’t taken that season to breathe, reflect, and rediscover what mattered most. That pause was not just a break; it was a critical step in preparing me to lead again, but this time with a deeper sense of purpose and alignment.
So, if you’re in the middle of a life transition, know that it’s okay to let go. Take a deep breath, honor the past, and open yourself up to what’s next. You might just find that this new chapter is exactly what you needed all along.
About the Author
Christy Pennison, LPC-S, is the founder and lead inspirer of Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting. If you need help navigating a difficult season or with any other problem area, now is the perfect time to find help and speak with one of our counselors.
Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting’s mission is to inspire hope for change to help individuals move forward and live fully.
Click here to schedule an appointment today.
