# Life Transitions **Domain:** Human Development / Identity / Adaptation **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition **Life Transitions are periods in which roles, relationships, environments, or expectations are reorganized and a person must establish new patterns of identity and action.** ## Mechanism and Practice Transitions create uncertainty because the old arrangement loses authority before the new one becomes stable. Self-knowledge, boundaries, experimentation, and supportive relationships protect the emerging life while it gains footing. ## Relationships [[wiki/Adaptability|Adaptability]] · [[wiki/New Beginnings|New Beginnings]] · [[wiki/Self-Knowledge|Self-Knowledge]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “When you make a drastic change, moving, changing careers, or ending a long relationship, the people around you may not celebrate it. It is reasonable to keep some of them at a greater distance until your footing in the new life is steady, and to welcome them closer again once you are secure.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *New Beginnings and the Relationship Contracts That Protect Our Energy - Livestream (Dec 2015)* [[reminders/Adaptability/Protect Your Footing During a Drastic Change by Bryant McGill|Protect Your Footing During a Drastic Change by Bryant McGill]] > “Big changes invite doubt from others and from within. A move, a new career, or a fresh start can look reckless to people who prefer the familiar path. Seasoned self-knowledge steadies a person through that doubt.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Leaving Toxic Dynamics Without Losing Compassion - Livestream (Jan 2016)* [[reminders/Adaptability/Self-Knowledge Steadies Big Changes by Bryant McGill|Self-Knowledge Steadies Big Changes by Bryant McGill]] > “Saying yes more often breaks patterns. Committing to accept invitations for a season can transform a life by interrupting automatic refusals. New experiences bring new people and possibilities.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Metacognition, Flexible Identity, and Meeting Opportunity Halfway - Livestream (Mar 2019)* [[reminders/Adaptability/Say Yes to Break Old Patterns by Bryant McGill|Say Yes to Break Old Patterns by Bryant McGill]]