The 6 Ps of Transition

Mid-life transitions can come in many forms, whether you’re becoming an empty nester, ending a relationship, starting a business, and more. To better understand, and consequently tackle these transitions, we can categorize them into the ‘6 Ps’:

• Physical

• Psychological

• Personal

• Professional

• Parting/Passing

• Purpose

But how do you know which type of transition you’re experiencing? Check out each transition below - which statements best apply to you?

Physical

• I am experiencing physical changes linked with aging.

• I feel a change in my sense of sensuality/sexuality.

• I have a diagnosis/health condition I am worried about.

• I want to start or focus on a wellness/meditation/yoga practice.

• I want to spend more time in nature for my mental and physical health.

• I want to work on my health through a change in diet.

Psychological

• I have recently been experiencing anxiety and/or depression.

• I am not feeling as open or flexible when learning something new.

• I feel I have been forgetting things lately, and worry about cognitive decline.

• I used to be upbeat and positive in my outlook, but lately I am not.

• I am usually motivated to connect with others, but now I am not and feel lonely.

• My life situation gets me angry and defensive sometimes with friends and family.

Personal

• I’m in a relationship that is struggling, recently ended, or a new relationship.

• I’ve recently become an empty nester.

• I’m serving as a caregiver of elderly parents or kids in the ‘sandwich generation’.

• The general pace of my life is changing; speeding up or slowing down.

• I’m in the process of moving, or considering moving in the near future.

• I’m struggling with a personal friendship or colleague relationship.

Professional

• I want to change career/industry, but am afraid of the risks.

• I started a new job but am worried I’ll fail or feel old in my new workplace.

• I’ve recently retired, and feel a little lost.

• I have to keep working, but I have realised I may not have the skills.

• I lost my job this past year and/or my income has significantly declined.

• A recent professional change has me worried about my finances and future.

Parting/Passing

• I am unsettled at the passing of time in my life and what is left to do.

• Someone in my life recently passed, and I am in the grieving process.

• Someone in my life recently passed, and I am in the grieving process.

• I am struggling with the constant uncertainties of the world.

• I am afraid of dying.

• I have not yet grieved relationships I have lost.

Purpose

• I feel like I’m in the midst of internal changes I can’t explain.

• I am no longer sure about what gets me out of bed in the morning.

• I recently hit a milestone, and I’m not sure what legacy I want to leave behind.

• As I get older, I worry about becoming irrelevant or without a compelling purpose.

• I feel like I am no longer needed by anyone.