Conquering the Swinging Bridge

Have you ever walked on a swinging bridge? What does it feel like? How do you feel when on a swinging bridge?

My family and I did a lot of hiking on our family vacations through some beautiful forests in the eastern states on the east side of the Mississippi River. One of the hikes I remember most, and probably because we visited it the most was a trail in Cook Forest, PA in the Allegheny National Forest that had a swinging bridge. I loved walking on that bridge as it moved and I would even do my best to make the bridge move by running, jumping, or swaying back and forth. It is the oddest sensation of trying to walk while the bridge is moving beneath your feet. Some people would be holding onto the railing as they crossed the bridge so they would not fall or misstep. Others would cross it quickly to be done with it. Some would wait until the bridge was clear of people, so they could cross it in peace. This bridge in particular served to connect one trail to another trail. 

 

One of the transition models we use is a bridge. It is a helpful way to give language around where you are in a transition and to help you identify what phase you are in. On one side of the bridge, you had been settled, living life, your routines, relationships, and roles were for the most part known and just part of your normal life. 

 

The next phase is becoming unsettled. You have stepped onto the bridge and maybe have even taken a few steps. It could be your role has changed, a relationship dynamic has changed, even a routine could have changed, or a combination of those things. Let’s say you have a new job and so are now needing to learn a different way of going to work, may change your routine at home, and now needing to build relationships with your new colleagues and/or clients. In comes some uncertainty, a little disoriented, insecure, happy, positive, excited, learning new things, etc. are feelings that could show up. 

 

The next phase is chaos. Here you are in the middle of the bridge that could be moving, and you are having difficulty in taking your next step, maybe holding onto the railing with a death grip so that you do not fall. Wondering when will this chaos come to an end. Will these people ever stop making the bridge move. When will I have my feet on solid ground once again. Your emotions may be intense, and they come and go both the comfortable and uncomfortable spectrum like a roller coaster ride.

 

The next phase is you are becoming resettled. Continuing with the example of a new job. This could be 90 days into the job that you now have learned your new routines, and they are starting to be more familiar and common to you. You may have a grasp on what is expected of you and have learned the way of doing things for this new role. Relationships take longer for sure but maybe you have started to get to know the people who you work closely with and they you. There is a spectrum of emotions you have but are less intense and usually more manageable. 

 

The last phase is being settled once again. You are living life to the fullest with your routines, relationships, and roles and you have purpose and meaning and now have community where you are known and feel you belong.

 

Each situation, circumstance, and individual are different and unique so it varies of how long it takes someone to cross the bridge of transition. As you cross the bridge, you become a different person because of the transformation that has and is taking place within you.

Are you ready to conquer the swinging bridge? Take the next step with a free discovery call today. You don't have to take the journey alone.