You’ve no doubt heard that the Chinese symbol for crisis is a combination of ideas: danger and opportunity. When confronting a life crisis, you’re probably well aware of the potential dangers. Addiction and depression can have lasting and even irreversible consequences. But what about the opportunities presented by confronting a life crisis?

Confronting Life CrisisWhen circumstances dictate a change, you may not know how to respond. Shock and surprise can cloud your perception, making your life look unrecognizable. Or you may arrive at a life transition through the back door, when life suddenly feels too small, and you just know deep down that you need to make a big change.

Navigating a Life ChangeNo matter how you end up at the brink of a life transition, try these 6 steps to navigate the passage with greater clarity and ease.

1. Create SpaceWhen making any big change, you’ll need space to create—mental space, and possibly a physical location to map out your next steps. Often we are so busy taking care of our survival needs that we simply don’t have the bandwidth to confront and address deeper emotional currents that are moving us in a new direction. Feelings can be messy and inconvenient, but if ignored too long they find ways of getting our attention—that may be less convenient than if we plan ahead and allow time and space to heal, and possibly grieve. Depression, addictions, physical symptoms and even suicidal thoughts can be signposts alerting us that we need to make a change in how we live.
2. Seek SupportFind a friend, counselor or coach to talk to and share what’s going on. Bottling up emotions serves no-one. That doesn’t mean dumping on friends indiscriminately - get permission before enlisting a friend for the job. Choose a person who is willing and able to listen without judgement and offer space for you to go through what you need to. Ideally this is a person who does not have a vested interest in any particular outcome, and who can mirror things objectively back to you. If none of your friends fit the bill, hire someone.
3. Prioritize Healthy RoutinesDuring times of stress (which is a by-product of change) it’s imperative to maintain physical and mental health. Find ways to support your own well-being by eating well, getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine, brisk exercise and time in nature, if possible. Move more, nourish with fresh fruits and vegetables, give the alcohol a break. Prioritize sleep and rest, away from the computer or smart phone. Let go of projects and relationships—temporarily or permanently (you can decide which later)—that pull you in too many different directions. Breathe.
4. Slow Down and ListenDevelop a daily practice that speaks to you. Whether mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, yoga nidra, walking meditation, or journaling, it is important to discover the vision of your inner wisdom. When you spend time with yourself in this type of contemplative dialogue, you establish a relationship with your inner wise guide. We all have a unique purpose and vision for our life here on Earth, and if you’ve spent your life living someone else’s vision, chances are you may not even know what you want out of life. So sit down, follow your breath, and let the voice of your inner wisdom speak.
5. Practice Loving KindnessThere will be days when it may feel futile. You may get lost, confused, give up hope. Learn to identify when you truly need a break from the work and have a tool kit available for those days. A good friend to cry with, an audio book to get lost in, a trip to the local hot-springs or spa. Know where your emergency resources are so that you can call on them when necessary. This is not a process that can be forced, so don’t pressure yourself to be somewhere you are not yet.
6. Wait for Clarity to DawnPatience, as they say, is a virtue. It’s also a bitch. That period between the knowledge that change is imminent, and the arrival of a new set of circumstances can be challenging to stay with. When I feel impatient for the next steps to be revealed, I get on the hiking trail and stomp. Or I throw paint on canvas. Patience is necessary, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait submissively. The point is not to rush to force a quick change that is not in alignment with your longer term goals. Let the energy of the emotions course through you to create the circumstances, then the change will reveal itself on its own.

Managing a life crisis with clarity is possible. Just because your life might be in crisis, it doesn’t mean YOU need to be. Think of paramedics and first responders who deal with crisis all day long. By viewing your life with a bit of detachment, you create the distance necessary to maintain clarity.

Creating DetachmentHow do you create that detachment? By practicing mindfulness and awareness of the moment to moment contents of the mind.

Detachment is different from callousness. It is a shift in perspective that enlarges your view to accommodate anything that arises, without attachment or rejection. When your view is as large as the sky, there is space for whatever arises within it. Then no matter what crisis might arise, there is always room to grow.

Want to learn more about developing a daily meditation practice? Click here for a guided at-home retreat.