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The Framing Process in Life Transitions

 


The framing process during any life transition is much like framing a home during renovation. Just as a house needs structural support and boundaries to ensure stability, we, too, need a solid framework to maintain our well-being to help us navigate change with strength and resilience.  

 

One key part of my framing process occurred when I re-entered the U.S. after five years in Peru. I was facing severe burnout and had to reconfigure my life by establishing healthier boundaries. It was a turning point for me. I realized I could no longer be a people-pleaser at the cost of my own well-being. I had to embrace something that once felt so uncomfortable: saying “No.” And not just saying it—but believing that it was okay to say it. That it was actually good to say it.  

 

Another shift in my framing process was learning to create space before responding to requests. Instead of automatically saying, “Yes, I’ll do that,” I now give myself time to pause, reflect, and, when needed, pray. That small act of slowing down has made a huge difference in how I make decisions—it allows me to choose what aligns best with my energy, capacity, and purpose.  

 

Of course, there have been times when I’ve slipped back into old patterns, agreeing to things without thinking out of reflex rather than intention. But just like adjusting to the flow of a newly renovated home, learning to live with these new boundaries takes time and practice.  

 

If you’re in a season of transition, I encourage you to think about your own framing process. What structures and boundaries are helping you create a life that feels strong, supportive, and aligned with who you are becoming?  

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