We use many everyday phrases about life that include images of travel, echoing the idea that life is a journey. Think about the following:

• Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.
• Who said 40 was over the hill?
• I have no direction in life at the moment.
• Just forget about it and move on.
• I don't know which way to turn.
• After school, I found myself at a crossroads.

We arrive and we depart, and there are many twists and turns in between. You've no doubt already experienced many changes and transitions. But the journey's not over yet!

Ups and downs
Did you know we go through more transitions in our lifetime than previous generations did? A person born in the first years of the 20th century could expect to go through about eight major transitions in their lifetime. Just one of these major 'life changes' (in fact slightly less than one, on average) would happen after the age of 50.

The average person born a generation later, in the 1930s or '40s, had already made eight major transitions by age 50 and might be on course for 12 over their lifetime. That's four more major life changes after the age of 50.

The process of transition can often be scary. Many people feel uneasy about external changes, and overwhelmed by the transitions they go through, which can include divorce, bereavement, illness or redundancy, and even planned changes like a new job or adapting to retirement.

Approach without caution
Whatever life's journey throws at you, having a positive attitude to change and an acceptance of transition will make it less challenging. We all face difficult times, but it's often how we view an event that affects our ability to cope with it. Perceiving change as an opportunity to grow and develop can help us see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Many people feel that a sudden, negative change has actually led to a positive outcome, as a direct result of the transition process.

By understanding the transition process - what psychologists call the Seven Stages of Transitions - you are much better prepared for it. Knowing what to expect can help you accept your feelings and adjust to new circumstances effectively.

Why don't you give our Transitions workout a try? It explains the Seven Stages of Transitions.

Some things we can prepare for
Naturally, it's not something we like to think about, but death will come to us all. Planning what we can in advance and arranging our affairs can make it easier for those left behind to cope with the transition of living without us.

The BBC website, How to Have a Good Death, advises on what you can do so that your 'good death' is the 'ultimate celebration of a good life'. It also provides some useful tips for the bereaved.

You're not alone
However we feel about change and transition in our lives, the process is made much easier when we have support from others. Friends, family, or a specific support group can all help us to cope with a life-changing experience.

Whether it's relationship difficulties, bereavement, or dealing with illness, support is available from a wide variety of organisations, each focusing on a different issue. Get on the web, go to your local library, or even talk to your GP to find out more.

Have you got a story to tell? Or any comments or questions about this article? If so, contact us today!

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