If you’ve ever found yourself in a season of transition, which most of us have, you probably know this reality:

Transitions are hard in ways we don’t always expect.

They’re emotional. They’re logistical. They stretch our relationships, challenge our identity, reshape our routines, and ask us to make decisions we never planned to make.

When I was younger, I thought “adulting” meant paying bills on time, managing a household, or figuring out a career. But now, in the thick of it, I’ve realized adulting is far more complex. It’s not just about managing tasks—it’s about carrying multiple roles at once, often in competing directions, and doing so with a heart that is stretched thin.

Parenting has always been a journey of change. From sleepless nights with newborns to navigating teenage independence, each season asks us to adjust and grow. But this past year brought a transition that changed our family dynamic: launching our middle child to college.

Work has always been a place of change. New tools, shifting industries, and evolving expectations have shaped how we show up and contribute. But few changes have felt as disruptive—or as full of possibility—as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

Friendship has been one of the sweetest gifts in my life. I adore my friends for the unique qualities and personalities they bring to this world. Together we laugh, hold one another accountable, cry, support, and challenge one another. I hold my friends dearly, and because of that, I’ve also learned that when friendships shift—or sometimes even end—the loss can be very painful.

Cultural transitions touch us deeply. They can feel exciting, bringing new perspectives and ideas, but they can feel disorienting when they challenge our belief systems and lifestyles. William Bridges’ framework of Endings, the Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings helps us see that cultural change is not only external—it requires us to evaluate ourselves internally as well.

Life is full of change. Some changes are exciting—new opportunities, new places, new beginnings. Others are painful and even scary —loss, endings, or seasons we never would have chosen. When we’re going through transitions, it pushes us to let go, to live in the unknown, and eventually to step into something new.