Recently I have become fascinated with the term “unmoored.”  If you’ve been around me lately, you’ve probably heard me say it more than once.  

The fascination is because that word can mean two completely different things – depending on your thoughts. 

Unmoored can mean freed, liberated, unshackled, released, and unlocked. Yea!

And unmoored can also mean uncontrolled, drifting, unchecked, unanchored, and afloat. Yikes.

The nature of this coaching practice of mine lends itself to working – often – with people who are moving through transition.  

• From middle school to high school.
• From high school to college.
• From college to a big kid job.
• From single to coupled.
• From small kids to adult kids. 
• From married to divorced.
• From an entry level job to mid- or upper-level management.
• From motherhood to the workforce.

And on and on and on. 

Transitions tend to land people on one side of ‘unmoored.’

Freedom or Fear.  

These last few months I have undergone a transition of my own – from a steady job in education that I knew well and loved, to a small business of my own that I am figuring out as I go.  I understand, intimately, both sides of that freedom and fear coin.  

Leaving something – whether it’s middle school or a marriage – can, for better or worse, leave you unmoored.  

These ideas I adapted from Jada Wan offer 4 suggestions for the next time you’re working through a transition.  Her recommendations can be helpful no matter where you are on the fear to freedom continuum. 

1. Admit that you’re scared. 

Admitting to yourself that you’re terrified might ultimately help you feel lighter about it – you won’t be wasting energy trying to convince yourself that you’re not. 

2. Tell yourself you don’t have everything figured out, and that’s ok. 

Transitions don’t happen overnight; they happen over days, months, even years. You have plenty of time to discover, to explore, to create, and to decide what your transition will be and how you’ll get there.

3. Get comfortable with the in-between.

The beautiful part about the in-between is that it gives you time to make a plan and to execute it. Taking small steps every day can prove to you that you are actively moving toward your desired end. 

4. Think about it deliberately. 

Everyone’s transition isn’t going to look the same, and it isn’t going to bring about the same issues or ideas. Embrace your transition – and think about it deliberately – even if it is difficult. In doing so, you face yourself and acknowledge the areas where you need to grow, the areas where you’re strong, and the areas you didn’t even know existed. 

I can’t wait to hear about the ways you’re moving through your transitions.  And if you need help, I’m here for you.  I would LOVE to help you get to the other side.