By: Cassandra Nordal

​Returning to work after a lay off or leave in general, is difficult. You add a pandemic onto that and well, how do we begin to function properly?

​Have you just moved to a new city or community? Have you just started working after having been in school for years?  Are you expecting a new baby or getting married?  Have you recently lost a beloved family member, friend, or pet? 
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There are many types of life transitions, and we all experience at least a few of these during our lifetime. I have realized that we often underestimate just how difficult it can be to cope with these changes in our lives, be it a major change or smaller adjustment. Some of these changes can be positive, but still come with many stresses that need to be overcome. While others are a challenge to cope with mentally, and make it difficult for us to find a silver lining.  
If you have not yet experienced one of these transitions but are thinking that you will soon, here are some things to be expected:

1. It is quite common to feel depressed or anxious when you are going through these changes in your life. The good news is that these feelings are usually situational, and will correct themselves once you find your way through the darkness.
2. You may feel lost or like you no longer have any direction in your life.  Hold on, because you will regain your sense of direction once you have had time to adapt to the change.
3. It may take longer to feel ‘normal’ again than you might have expected. Remember that everyone is their own individual; we all heal, cope, and rebound at different speeds. Be patient with yourself.