Transition Time: Ease In and Out of Big Moments with Less Stress and More Sanity

Ever noticed how it takes you days to get back in the groove after a big trip, project or event?

You’re not alone.

Whether it’s a vacation, business trip, multi-day install, photoshoot or all-day conference- anything that knocks you out of your weekly flow has the power to throw you off for days...

Unless you build in a simple, powerful practice called Transition Time.

What is Transition Time?

Transition Time is a buffer of space- a few hours, a half day or even 1-2 full days- before AND after anything that's outside your normal weekly flow.

It’s dedicated time to ease yourself in and out of these events and experiences with intention, enjoyment and presence, instead of stressing, rushing and struggling.

Why build in Transition Time?

It’s not the event or experience that’s exhausting you.

It’s the fact that you didn’t give yourself any time to prepare for it OR recover from it.

When you treat life like it’s just one thing after the next… after the next- you leave yourself no buffer, no breathing room, no margin. It's just go, go, go.

And then you wonder why you always need a vacation from our vacation.

Adding Transition Time before and after anything outside of your regular weekly flow helps you:

• Prepare with peace instead of panic
• Actually enjoy the process of getting ready (packing, organizing, prepping)
• Return to home AND work feeling grounded, not disoriented
• Avoid the emotional hangover that sneaks in after the high of doing something big
• Protect your energy so you don’t need a vacation from your vacation

How can you implement Transition Time?

• Mark it on your calendar ASAP.
  • As soon as you book a trip, schedule an event or confirm a big work commitment- block off time to prep and time to recover, so your calendar doesn't get filled with meetings and tasks (aka: stuff that's not a priority at that time).
• Decide how much time you need (and don't second guess yourself).
  • This could be a full day to pack and prep, or just a quiet morning to tie up loose ends. On the return side, it might be 2 days to reset or a half day to unpack and decompress. 
  • Whatever amount of time you need, save it without second guessing. Once you implement Transition Time, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!
• Protect it fiercely.
  • This is not “overflow” time to fill with extra work. It’s "you time." Your energy and sanity depend on it (and your future self will thank you).
• Use it wisely and strategically.
  • Before: Assemble your outfits, pack your bags, prep your home, confirm travel details, gather materials/supplies, and enjoy the process of getting ready (without rushing or stressing). 
  • After: Unpack, sort mail, pick up pets, start laundry, and give yourself a moment to rest and reflect, before jumping back into your regular weekly flow (without resentment or exhaustion).

Can you see how implementing Transition Time protects your energy, presence and overall well-being?

Next time you have an event or experience that's out of your weekly flow- don’t just reserve time for the event.

• Save a block of time before.
• Save a block of time after.
• Give yourself space to enjoy every part of the process.
• And return rested, not wrecked.

Let’s make that your new normal!