It seems that lately, the topic of “life after COVID19” is starting to become quite popular in most friends and family gatherings. Our pre-occupation with the idea of going back to ‘normal’ is not unnatural; for some, it may be driven by curiosity and for others by apprehension. In an online poll, 82% of the participants indicated feeling anxious about resuming life post COVID19.

Needless to say, for many of us, experiencing COVID 19 presented us with a new type of challenge. At some point, we had to adjust to what life looks like during a pandemic, and a few months later we are finding ourselves adjusting to the alternative. This sort of adjustment places us in a state of transition. So, what exactly are transitions? and why do they feel difficult?

William Bridges, the author of the book “Transitions,” and a pioneer in understanding cycles of change, differentiates between concepts of change and transition. Whereas change is the external event that takes place, transitions are psychological processes through which the individual accepts the new situation that change presents. In a sense, transition is a process and change is a product, and for a healthy change to occur, an individual must go through a healthy transition.

Now that we have differentiated change from transition, let’s understand what transitions comprise of. Bridges simplified the process intro three stages; a) endings, b) neutral zone and c) new beginnings.

It’s may be unusual for us to see a process starting with ‘an ending’ but for transitions, we first experience a loss and often navigate ways to manage these losses. If we were to reflect on the current situation, our losses could look like losing the comfort of working from your home or losing the control on keeping our environments safe. To resolve this first stage, Bridges suggests that we identify our losses and work towards acceptance of the loss.

The second stage, the ‘neutral zone’ is one where a lot of shifts and psychological rearrangements occur. This may bring about feelings of confusion and stress. It is sitting with the uncertainty and recognizing that, what was, can no longer be, and what’s to come may not be clear at the moment. This stage is the most essential during a transition and requires the substantial psychological energy. The reason being is that it could potentially become a stagnant comfort zone if we do not achieve a balance between stillness and proactivity, and avoidance and obligation.

The final stage of a transition is the ‘new beginning’. In this stage, we are bringing our reconstructed energy, ideas and roles from the neutral zone as we take the final step into change. It is important to note that we all have different coping styles and paces; if you are not ready to be in this stage, you may experience feelings of anxiety and a heightened need for control. Entering this stage in a regulated emotional and psychological state is extremely beneficial and will allow for a more sustainable and effective alignment.

Most of the responses to the online poll indicated anxiety in regards to leaving the ‘neutral zone’ too quickly. Some indicated feeling pressured to resume social activities, while others reported feelings of fear in returning back to the workplace. Overall, it seemed as though there was a discrepancy between the collective vs. the individual’s pace. So, what can we do when the pace of the collective feels much faster that our own? Here are some points to consider:
1. Be honest (with yourself and others) about what your needs to feel safe are.
2. Place healthy boundaries when feeling pressured.
3. Start a dialogue with your family, friends or colleagues about the importance of healthy transitions.
4. Remember that our sympathetic nervous system may be activated in times of stress and you may be reacting as if in crisis mode. It is important to respond rather than to react.
5. Recognize that when your anxiety rises, your need for control also increases; try to incorporate flexibility every now and then.
6. Always assess whether you are in avoidance, or if your neutral zone has turned into a comfort zone that is keeping you back.
7. Remember that your state of transition, no matter how long it takes, is not a permanent state.

References:
Bridges, W., & Bridges, S. (2019). Transitions: Making sense of life's changes. Hachette UK.

Helpful resources:

Managing Transitions PDF Summary

Leading and Communicating Change in Organizations

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3413-what-comes-next-back-to-child-care-following-shelter-in-place

Artwork:
“1,2,3” by Mariam El Halawani