In this life, the only real thing is what doesn’t change, and the only constant is “change”!

Whether we choose it or not, we all go through periods of changes and transitions.

People switch jobs, go from being single to being in a relationship or the opposite, move to a new city, lose motivation for a project, fail in business, or feel like nothing makes sense anymore to them.

The common denominator in these events is the period of emptiness that someone could experience between ending with the old and connecting with the new path.

It’s not that easy!

Life transitions have patterns which, if understood, will make tough times an opportunity to reconnect with unlived potential and the seed of massive success.

“Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have undergone many changes and re-invented myself several times, leading me to research life transitions and direction.

This framework will help not only navigate a transition but also recognize if you are currently on the verge of experiencing one.

1. Acknowledge The Natural Laws 

“Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the Natural Laws. Your choice determines the consequences.” — Alfred A. Montapert

Would you jump from the 10th floor?

You won’t because you respect the natural law of gravity!

There are other laws governing this universe, and we can either be in harmony or disharmony with them.

If you choose not to follow them, you should assume the consequences.

When you jump from the 10th floor, you might break your leg or hand or lose your life.

Similar to nature, there is a pattern to growth; it goes through periods of acceleration, massive fruits, and periods of drought and slow pace.

In nature, there are positive and minus; there are ups and downs seasons. There is a rhythm!

While in nature, these patterns are predictable or known in advance most of the time. For humans, transitions happen unexpectedly or suddenly.

 There are no specific seasons. But there is a pattern, and it starts by acknowledging that this is a standard way of unfolding life.

It’s a natural law. Obey it, and you will make your life easy. Disobey it, and you will make your life a struggle.

2. Accept The Ending

“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.” — Paolo Coelho

Transitions usually start after the end of something familiar.

Endings are complex, but accepting the endings is even more complicated. People can’t let go of the old quickly.

You need to accept the endings to allow new beginnings. It’s like creating the space for the new to replace the old.

This transition phase is accompanied by disidentification or an identity crisis. You lose a sense of who you are, things change fast, and the old identity doesn’t define you anymore.

Imagine a CEO one day after losing his position or a woman one day after leaving the matrimonial house because of a divorce.

The old isn’t that old, and the new has yet to show up!

The only way to move through this phase is to accept the ending and accept that the previous mental model of your world doesn’t apply anymore.

You look around, confused; you don’t know what’s real anymore. You feel like you don’t belong in this place.

 It’s time to create a new reality.

3. Navigate The Empty Zone

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” — Henry David Thoreau

The empty zone is the time preceding the ending where it feels like nothing is happening, nothing is working.

The human need to keep busy doing something will push you to try to escape this period of stillness as soon as possible.

It’s recommended to stay in the empty zone for some time. At this phase, you are ready to receive new insights.

Welcome the emptiness, remove distractions, and pay attention to the signs.

Pay attention to what you see around you, your dreams, and your interests, and write down everything.

Nothingness is the source of all creation.

An empty page is a chance to write a new story.

Take alone time and answer some powerful questions in your journal. Find out what you want to do next, be open to new adventures, and find what you want to accomplish during your lifetime. What would you regret not doing if you died today?

It’s normal to feel empty when an old purpose has ended; go inwards and wait for a new purpose to appear.

Nothing is meant to last forever; take your time, breathe and be open to move to the next thing. It’s not the end.

4. Embrace The New Beginnings

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”― Meister Eckhart

There is no specific rule to know the end of the empty zone. It’s impossible to find a formula to apply to everyone.

It varies from one person to another. It’s more of a feeling, a knowingness.

You will know when you are ready to move to the next phase. However, take your time with the process.

There are two things to keep in mind. First, don’t let the empty period consumes you and enter into a passive phase or let negative thoughts creep in because of this void.

Second, new beginnings are usually small. A new beginning doesn’t necessarily need to be as big as creating the next Amazon or Tesla motors.

A new beginning could be as simple as going to the gym for the first time in 3 months, decluttering your house, meeting a new person, writing down a potential idea, or scribing your first drawing.

“ When the person is ready, the teacher will show up” 

When you are ready, the universe will conspire to bring new opportunities to your door.

Take steps forward with faith, and don’t give up too quickly because of the humble beginnings.