When Life Changes Feel Bigger Than You Can Handle Alone
Some changes you see coming. Others happen with little warning and turn your world upside down. Whether it’s the end of a relationship or stepping away from a long-held career, these shifts can affect your mental health in ways you didn’t expect.
It’s common to feel relief and fear in the same week. One day you may feel strong and ready to move forward. The next, you may feel lost and unsure what to do. These feelings don’t mean you’re failing — they’re a natural response to losing the familiar and facing the unknown.
Separation and Divorce
The end of a relationship is rarely just one thing. Even if you knew it was the right choice, there can still be grief, anger, regret, and a deep sense of uncertainty.
You might be navigating:
- The emotional impact of loss and rejection
- New routines, living arrangements, or financial pressures
- Co-parenting challenges and changes in family life
- A loss of identity after years in a particular role or relationship dynamic
- Social changes if mutual friendships shift or fade
For many women, the hardest part isn’t the legal process — it’s the emotional rebuilding that comes after. Counselling offers a space to talk honestly about what has happened, what you are feeling now, and what you need moving forward.
Retirement
Retirement can be something you look forward to for years. But when it arrives, the reality can feel different. Without the structure and purpose work once provided, some women find themselves feeling disconnected or adrift.
You might experience:
- A loss of routine or sense of direction
- Missing the social interaction and recognition you had at work
- Financial adjustments and the anxiety that can come with them
- More time at home, which can affect relationships and personal space
- Uncertainty about how to spend your time in a way that feels fulfilling
The Emotional Overlap
Sometimes separation, divorce, and retirement happen close together, creating a perfect storm of change. The end of a relationship may happen just as you’re leaving work, or a career break might prompt new decisions about your personal life. Each of these transitions on its own can be challenging. Combined, they can be overwhelming.
How Counselling Supports You Through Transition
Counselling gives you a private space to talk through what’s changing, without the pressure to “be fine” straight away. Together, we can:
- Make sense of the emotions you’re experiencing
- Explore the impact of these changes on your identity and relationships
- Develop coping strategies for stress, anxiety, or low mood
- Rebuild confidence after loss or uncertainty
- Plan next steps that feel realistic and supportive of your wellbeing
FAQs – Counselling for Life Transitions
Q: Is it normal to feel worse before I feel better during a transition?
Yes. Change often brings uncertainty before new routines and confidence develop.
Q: Can counselling help me make practical decisions as well as emotional ones?
Yes. While our focus is on emotional wellbeing, we can also help you explore practical next steps.
Q: How long does it take to feel settled after a big change?
It varies for each person. Counselling can make the adjustment process smoother and more manageable.
Q: Can you support me if I’m going through both separation and retirement?
Yes. We can look at both changes together and help you balance the emotional impact of each.
Q: What if I feel ashamed about struggling with a change I chose?
It’s common to have mixed feelings, even about choices you made willingly. Counselling offers a judgement-free space to explore them.