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Death or serious illness in spouse or life partner
Caregiving while a spouse or partner is ill or dying takes a toll on the soul and body. Coaching can provide direction and clarity about tough choices, financial stresses, dealing with other family members, planning for the future, etc. It is also a time for “self care” when that can get lost in the shuffle. The primary questions to answer are : What do I want in my life during and after this life-changing experience? How can I meet my emotional and social needs? Grief is a central part of this transition, but wise management of grief can lessen it’s impact. Grief stages include denial, shock, anger, bargaining to try to fix it, depression, acceptance, and practicing new relationship skills. Future planning is a constant activity that is required to maintain mental and physical health.
Break-for-Child-Rearing, and Job Retirement Transitions These transitions are surprisingly similar in that you are faced with shedding your central identity as a career person. You may have the choice of keeping some work going part time, beginning a new work path, or completely quitting work. The central questions to answer are: What activities will protect you from boredom and neglecting yourself? What will help you continue to learn and grow? What will prevent stress from accumulating? How can you stay active and physically healthy? Coaching can help you clarify your values, recognize how to maintain life balance, and provide you on-line assessments that will assist you to recognize how your personality type will respond to changes in activity level.
Divorce Transition A divorce transition begins when the idea of divorce enters the mind of either party, and ends well after the legal divorce is final. This transition typically takes a minimum of two years. Whether your divorce is uncontested or has a full-blown custody battle, change is inevitable Take this free short survey now to locate your place in a divorce transition. Record your reaction to each statement as follows: 4) Strongly Agree 3) Agree 2) Disagree 1) Strongly disagree 1) I wonder if I am married to the right person: 4 3 2 1 2) When I am around my spouse, I feel content: 4 3 2 1 3) I am afraid I will lose too much if we divorce: 4 3 2 1 4) A major divorce conflict is coming: 4 3 2 1 5) My family is/will be supportive of my divorce: 4 3 2 1 6) I worry often about the future: 4 3 2 1 7) My financial future is insecure: 4 3 2 1 8) It seems as if a divorce will never be over: 4 3 2 1 9) I want to develop a new life but don’t know how: 4 3 2 1 10) Exciting new doors are opening for me: 4 3 2 1 Scoring: The higher the numbers, the more your transition is creating stress and needs attention. You have a choice whether to just survive the inevitable changes, or to thrive through them. You will usually face these big questions: Who do I want and need to be close to in my family? What kind of home do I want? Do I want to stay in my job or change careers? What doors are open that were closed before? The whole divorce transition requires a new identity, life skills, finances, housing, schedule, and expanding relationships. The whole person is involved as your health and even spiritual beliefs can change. The process is lengthened or made more complex if hasty choices are made. |
