Life transitions support group

Local news reporters with the St. Augustine local news desk of Historic City News report that Sheryl Anderson is leading a life transitions support group at Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Everyone experiences transitions in life. In the simplest terms, transition is change. Transitions are life’s way of asking us to reexamine our present way of being. Some transitions are harder than others, and some transitions are unexpected, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, etc.

Many people experience normal amounts of stress while going through a life transition while others may feel as though they are constantly struggling with an overwhelming amount of anxiety or distress, with no one specific stressor causing these feelings.

Whatever the degree or intensity of the event, every transition we experience has one thing in common ‐ it forces us to make changes to our existing life. And with change, comes resistance. A major life transition literally closes one chapter of our life, and starts a new one, putting us in a new place and direction that we have not walked before.

It is often a very difficult adjustment as we endure intense feelings of fear, doubt, and uncertainty.

Transitions typically mark an ending followed by a time of self-reflection, which leads to a new beginning or outlook on life. Every life transition asks us to let go of a past way of thinking or doing. By doing so, we are given the opportunity to replace the old way of being with something new.

Life Transitions Support Group can teach us how to accept change and move on in life. Sometimes all we need is a supportive ear to guide us through the transitional period.

Whether it is a positive change or one that causes monumental grief in our lives, the process is the same. We must first learn to let go of what was and then look at what is and can be.

“Connect with us in the Church House Parlor, the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.,” Anderson said, “as we journey through life’s transitions and take stock of our life and move forward into our new beginning with less pain and resistance.”