In the fall of 2021 I packed my stuff, hugged my parents good-bye, and started my life as a College student. Even though I only lived fifteen minutes away from them, I was still terrified to be apart. How would I manage living on my own? How would I make friends, and get to all my classes? All these fears stemmed from one source, the fear of transition. Big changes or transitions in our lives are frightening, but they are also a valuable part of our experience as people. So in this article, I will do my best to talk about some ways we can be less afraid of them.

Find people in your life who are transitioning at the same time as you. If you are experiencing one of the traditional rite of passage transitions, this should be relatively easy to do. Find a friend group your age who you can share your anxieties with. That way the experience may feel less scary, and will feel less isolating. If you're going through a more personal transition, such as recovering from a mental illness, starting a relationship, or discovering your identity, it may still be possible to find others who are where you are, or have been where you are. These resources may be helpful in this type of transition too.

Think of the positives. When transitioning, it can be easy to get stuck in the negative aspects of the changes in your life. Very often, when a change in routine occurs, we long for things to be the way they were. But remember that there are usually positives in transitioning too. When you get stuck imagining the negatives, think of the things your excited about. If you are going through a more painful type of transition, such as ending a relationship, or losing a loved one, allow yourself to grieve, but also remember and be grateful for the good times you had with them.

Get in touch with your inner self. When things are changing around you, it can be difficult to feel secure in your own mind and identity. It may be helpful to find ways to get more in touch with your inner self during this time. If you're spiritual, seek out your higher power. Whether or not you're spiritual, try yoga or meditation. If you feel it would benefit you, try therapy, or talk to a trusted adult or friend. Whatever you need to do to get more in touch with yourself, do it! You won't regret it if you do.