Making Space for All Your Feelings in a Transition

During a life transition, you may expect to feel only the “right” emotions. In reality, transitions are often messy and full of contradictions.

You can feel joy and sadness, relief and fear, confidence and uncertainty at the same time. These emotions do not cancel each other out. They are part of the human experience.

Why Mixed Emotions Are Normal

For first generation adults and BIPOC professionals, transitions often bring layered emotions. You may feel proud of breaking new ground while also wishing you had more guidance. You may celebrate your achievements while secretly feeling guilty about outgrowing certain roles or expectations.

For new or expecting parents, transitions often hold both joy and grief. You may feel love for your baby while grieving the independence or identity you once had. These emotions are normal and do not mean anything is wrong. They are signs of growth and change.

How Complex Feelings Show Up

You might notice:
• Feeling proud of yourself and wishing things could stay the same
• Wanting to move forward but resisting the change
• Struggling to explain your emotions to others

When you allow space for these feelings, you give yourself the compassion needed to navigate the change.

Strategies to Make Space for Every Feeling

• Journal without judgment. Let your words flow without editing or self criticism.
• Share openly with someone who can listen. Choose a person who will hold space without trying to fix you.
• Name your emotions in the moment. Simply saying “This is sadness” or “This is relief” can bring clarity and validation.

Affirmations for Emotional Acceptance

Every emotion I feel is a valid part of my transition process.
I am allowed to be complex and layered in my feelings.
My emotions deserve acknowledgment, not dismissal.

A Helpful Dialectical Statement

“I can be both confident and scared, both ready and unready.”

Holding two truths at once makes space for compassion. It means you do not have to choose only one feeling to be valid.

Therapy Can Support You Through the Full Range of Emotions

If you live in New York and are navigating a big life change, you do not have to figure it out alone. Therapy can give you a supportive space to honor all your feelings without judgment and to build tools for moving through transitions with compassion.

I offer trauma informed, culturally responsive therapy for first generation adults, BIPOC professionals, and new or expecting parents. Together, we can create room for every emotion that comes with change.

📞 Schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation today by emailing me at ashleyrodriguezphd@gmail.com to see if we are a good fit.