Life Transition Coaching: How to navigate major life change with clarity and confidence?
Life Transition Coaching helps you navigate and manage major life changes in your personal or professional life, like a break-up, illness, bereavement or milestone birthday. You go through three phases: an ending, the messy in-between called “the void”, and the fertile ground of new beginnings. These life shifting moments — the anticipated ones, the blind-siding ones, the ones that crept in slowly, the dreams that never came true — aren’t just events. They’re transitions. How you move through them shapes everything that comes next.
Life Transition Coaching guides you through big life changes with intention, making way for redefining who you are and stepping into your next chapter with grounded, intuitive, deep alignment.
Feeling overwhelmed by life's transitions?
Life is full of moments that can leave us feeling unmoored, whether it’s a career change, a relationship ending, a move, a health scare, or simply reaching a stage of life that feels unfamiliar. These life transitions can be intense, confusing, and at times overwhelming. They form pivotal moments that can dramatically alter the trajectory of our lives. Despite their challenges, they hold incredible potential for spiritual growth, clarity and renewal. In our Life Transition Coaching approach, we see these major life changes as an invitation to get to know yourself truly, develop qualities that will benefit you for the rest of your life, and step into an aligned, authentic, and wise version of yourself — which is why the way you meet these moments of great transition truly matters.
In this blog, we’ll explore what life transitions are, the different types you might encounter, and the emotions they bring in their different phases. Explain what Life Transition Coaching is, share our vision and experience on practical coping strategies and spiritual growth during this time in your life , and how we help you navigate these major changes with purpose, resilience, and confidence.
When life shifts under your feet - how to cope?
Life has a way of moving us into chapters we never planned for. Perhaps it’s a loss that leaves a quiet ache, a sudden health scare, a bereavement, a career shift, or the way children grow and leave a home that once felt full. These moments, either expected or unforeseen, are the junctures that shape who we become. How we respond is often more important than the change itself.
Life Transition Coaching provides a safe space to make sense of these shifts, to move through them with clarity, and to find a purposeful way forward. When these moments present themselves we need more than a way to simply cope. In the endings there are beginnings yet to come, and in the messy in-between there are hidden possibilities for those who take the time to look...
“Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What are Life Transitions?
A life transition is any period where the familiar falls away and the new is yet to arrive. They alter your daily routine and self-perception. It can feel frightening, disorienting, and, at times, lonely. Yet, these moments are also ripe with potential for self-discovery and growth. Each transition is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask: Who am I now? What matters most? Where do I want to go from here?
Transitions touch every aspect of life, identity, relationships, career, health, and even spiritual alignment. They are an essential part of human development, but their significance is often only recognised in hindsight. A life transition is any significant shift that alters your daily routine or self-perception.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Viktor E. Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning
Examples of pivotal events that can trigger a life transition:
Career: redundancy, bullying boss, work dispute, disliking job, career changes;
Loss: bereavement, break-up, separation, divorce, end of a friendship, unchosen house move, miscarriage, abortion;
Health changes: serious illness, health scare, diagnosis, menopause, aging;
Financial loss or gain;
Milestone birthdays (hitting "The big number") and recognising you’re not as ‘far’ as you wanted to be or compared to your peers, taking stock at big landmark birthdays, transition into a new decade of life, or special memorable ages for example turning the age a parent was when they died.
Becoming a parent or empty nester;
Coming to terms with one’s gender identity or sexual orientation;
Becoming a carer for an elderly parent (in-law), aging relatives;
And also changes that feel celebratory like getting married, a partnership commitment, moving in together, retirement or starting a new job.
And imagine when several of these adjustments happen all at once? Clients describe it to me as “Everything is coming to a head”. And this frustrating time where old pains arise, new questions pop up and a quest for deeper meaning becomes all-encompassing wakes up questions like:
"Who am I, really?"...
"What do I want?"...
“What am I doing with my life?”...
“Where am I going next?”...
“I have a lot to give, but how?”...
“Where to start?”...
“Why am I questioning so many things?”...
“Why do I sabotage myself?”...
"Who am I, really?"... "What do I want?"... “What am I doing with my life?”... “Where am I going next?”... “I have a lot to give, but how?”... “Where to start?”... “Why am I questioning so many things?”... “Why do I sabotage myself?”...
What are four major types of life transitions?
Not all transitions are the same. Some are anticipated milestones we see coming, like graduating, starting a family, or retiring. Others arrive without warning: a sudden illness, a job loss, or a shift in relationships. Some transitions are subtle, almost invisible, unfolding slowly until we notice the change in ourselves or in our circumstances. Others are impactful because of their absence, the things we expected to happen but didn’t: becoming a parent, being financially secure, that promised promotion that suddenly falls through…
At Vitalis Coaching & Therapy, we recognise that these shifts are deeply personal. Two people may experience the same event very differently. Some transitions spark curiosity, energy, or hope, while others bring fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Understanding the nature of the transition is the first step toward navigating it consciously.
Consider these four major types of Life Transitions:
Anticipated
Graduations, weddings, career milestones, these are expected life events that come with preparation, yet even then, the emotions they stir can surprise us.
Unanticipated
Sudden changes, like a divorce, house fire or illness, demand rapid adaptation and often leave us questioning our identity and plans.
Nonevent
When something we counted on doesn’t happen, like a wedding proposal that never comes, a pregnancy that doesn’t happen, or a dream that remains unfulfilled, the disappointment ripples through every part of our lives.
Sleeper
Gradual, almost invisible changes that accumulate over time, like being marginalised at work, friends who drift away, or a slow realisation that your current path no longer aligns with who you’ve become.
Another way of dividing life transitions is the developmental or reactive type. Developmental transitions are a natural milestone of life, like aging and changes in our identity as an aspect of growing up. Reactive transitions, on the other hand, are prompted by unforeseen and unplanned external events.
Through Life Transition Coaching, these distinctions become tools for insight, helping us understand not just what is happening externally, but how we are experiencing it in our mental, emotional and spiritual world.
At their core, life transitions are about facing the unknown. It’s natural for feelings of fear, insecurity, grief and anxiety to surface and whilst the material and external aspects of our lives are undoubtedly affected by these major events, a transition is very much an internal journey.
Our Vision of Life Transition Coaching & Therapy: Endings, The Void, and New Beginnings
William Bridges’ model of transition identifies three stages of Life Transitions: endings, a neutral zone, and new beginnings. Yet through having done this work since 2008, we at Vitalis Coaching & Therapy have learned that the so-called “neutral zone” is not neutral at all. We re-label the middle phase as The Void, a space that can feel unsettling, scary, and disorienting, yet also full of possibility. As a client once said “The unknown is stifling me”.
Endings are often accompanied by grief, self-doubt, and a sense of loss. It’s the closing of a chapter, whether that’s a job, a relationship, or a way of being. It can feel like the world is pulling the rug from beneath your feet. Life Transition Coaching & Therapy helps to honor what is coming to a close, to reflect on what you are leaving behind and are letting go off, and to find grace even amid sorrow.
Then comes The Void, the space between “no longer” and “not yet.” Clients often describe this as feeling adrift, unmoored, or stuck at sea, a no man’s land. It’s here that the real internal work begins: learning how to self-care when in this unknown territory, rethinking who we are, rediscovering our values, and learning to recognise the quiet guidance of our intuition. It is uncomfortable, yes, but also transformative. With care, reflection, and therapeutic coaching support, this liminal space can in hindsight become one of the most valuable phases of a life transition. It’s where we're invited to rethink who we are and how we relate to the world.
“The Void is the space between ‘no longer’ and ‘not yet’. Where the old no longer applies, but the new is not yet known.
It’s a vulnerable, scary place to be, yet a fertile ground of new possibilities.”
Karin Peeters - Founder of Vitalis Coaching & Therapy
Finally after ‘The Void’, new beginnings emerge, sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly. This phase is marked by renewed energy, clarity, and purpose. What was once confusing or frightening becomes an opportunity to innovate, explore, and commit to growth. Coaching and Therapy helps ensure that when new beginnings arrive, they are entered not by default, but with conscious intention.
Life Transitions: From Endings → Via ‘The Void’ → To New Beginnings…
Transitions stir a spectrum of emotions
What are the emotions you might experience along the way while going through major life changes?
Common emotions during the phase of ending and the void (this is often the moment where clients contact us): scared, uncertain, insecure, overthinking, loss, self-doubt, isolation, alone, uncertainty, grief, fear, anxiety, frustration, identity crisis, overwhelm, stuck, lost, stress, fear of letting go, craving predictability, resistance, ambivalence, denial, anger, resistance, scepticism, hopelessness, despair, depressed.
Common emotions when the new beginning phase becomes clear: enthusiasm, possibility, hope, relief, high energy, focus, learning, growth, innovation, excitement, clarity, purpose, understanding and meaning of the previous phase, creativity, anticipation, joy, ease, flow, commitment, exploration, expansion.
In a nutshell, at the outset and within The Void, it’s natural to feel fear, doubt and insecurity, grief and loss, overwhelm, anxiety, and hopelessness, resistance, ambivalence or anger. As clarity emerges and a new chapter takes shape, we can enjoy the feeling of relief that comes with making sense of things. The new arising of enthusiasm and possibility for the next phase of life that can be lived with greater joy, purpose and meaning. This is a period of learning and growth, and when we can lean in and dig deep it is richly rewarding.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
Alan Wilson Watts
Download our free clarity mini-course today:
Life transitions may be inevitable, but continuing to feel lost or stuck is optional. Begin your journey today: our free clarity mini-course helps you gain clarity, embrace change, and reconnect with your purpose. From endings to ‘the void’ to new beginnings, Life Transition Coaching offers guidance, support, and the opportunity to move through change with confidence and alignment.
How to cope during major life changes?
Regardless if your transitional period is anticipated or reactive (taken you by surprise), there are practical steps to navigate the process with clarity, confidence and ease:
Acknowledge your emotions
The ability to identify and label feelings without judgment can be extremely helpful in developing the emotional granularity and sense of acceptance needed to make sense of and ease difficult transitions.
For more on developing greater emotional vocabulary you can read more on the blog here:
Set small goals to move forward in life
When major life events overwhelm us it helps to focus on actionable steps rather than trying to solve everything at once. Taking things moment by moment, tackling what you can manage, and getting support to grieve and find the impetus to make the first aligned steps to move forward will help.
Reflect on your purpose and values
A time of life transition brings what matters most to us into sharp focus. Exploring and attuning to this attempt for greater meaning in our life can be a welcome gift in the challenge. Using journalling, meditation and Coaching & Therapy to identify and explore your purpose and your values can help you build the next stage of life around what truly matters to you.
Take care of your body and nervous system
When change and challenge presents, the impact on our nervous system and our bodies can be profound. Whilst it might seem unimportant in the scheme of things, prioritising care for your physical self is so vital if we are to build the resilience we need to navigate this well. Eating well, protecting your sleep, moving your body and safeguarding space for self and community become non-negotiables on the journey.
Lean on support networks
Friends, family and community provide much needed grounding, belonging and perspective in difficult times. Asking for and accepting support means you don’t have to go it alone. If you feel you’re burdening your friends, please contact us for guilt-free and unjudgmental guidance.
Seek professional support
Facing transitions alone can be daunting. Life Transition Coaching can provide clarity, perspective and the much needed skilled accompaniment to navigate with greater ease. Let’s talk about how we can support you:
Curious how we can help you find clarity, confidence and ease while navigating major life changes?
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Maria Robinson
What is a Life Transition Coach? Our vision, approach and experience
What Life Transition Coaching involves / What to expect from a Transition Coach?
At Vitalis Coaching & Therapy, our certified and qualified Life Coaches and Psychotherapists have not only undergone rigorous training and years of clinical practice, but have navigated our own life changes and sought professional support, so we understand both the challenge and the opportunity of transitions. We all sat in the client seat, and know first-hand what it takes to make sense of the world shifting around you.
Working consciously with a professional from our team of Coaches & Therapists can help you:
Move through endings and ‘the void’ with intention;
Allow all the space you need to grief;
Make sense of who you are in this new reality;
Develop the qualities needed to deal with what’s ahead;
Enter new beginnings with clarity, confidence, and purpose;
Align life choices with values, personal growth, and spiritual insight;
Receive the gifts of this conscious journey: deeper wisdom, compassion, intuition, self-acceptance, self-worth, feeling grounded and a resilient, profoundly aligned you.
With professional support, transitions become less overwhelming and more transformative, offering the chance to emerge stronger, wiser, and more authentically yourself.
Hi, I’m Karin
Transitions Life Coach - Founder of Vitalis
"What feels like the end is often the beginning."
Unknown
Who benefits from Life Coaching & Therapy during a transitional period in life?
You benefit from hiring a Life Transition Coach when:
You feel unsure, stuck, or imbalanced in your current life or career
Perhaps decisions feel harder than usual, your thoughts go round in circles, or you’ve lost touch with what you truly want.
You’re moving through a significant change
This might be a new job, a relocation, becoming a parent, children leaving home, a change in relationship status, or a health concern — anything that alters the rhythm of your life and asks you to find your feet again.You’ve had experiences lately that left you feeling unsettled or reflective
Redundancy, a bereavement, loss or breakup, or a period of increased stress can all make you pause and wonder what needs attention now.
You sense something needs to change, but you’re not clear what
A growing sense of dissatisfaction, boredom, or flatness can be a sign that an inner transition is already happening — you just haven’t named it yet.You’re longing for direction, confidence, and a sense of purpose
You want to make thoughtful choices about your next chapter without the pressure of getting it “right”. You want clarity, steadiness, and a sense that life is moving in a direction that feels aligned with who you truly are.
Life Transition Coaching can support anyone navigating change or seeking direction. Let’s meet Emma, James and Leah who walked this path before you and share their story to bring you hope and inspiration. Although names have been changed and experiences have been adapted, merged and altered, these touching stories represent typical clients we work with, and their profound experiences. Are you next?
Let’s meet Emma…
Emma had achieved every milestone she had set for herself. Promotions, a place of her own, financial stability. On paper, everything was perfect. Yet, as she sank into her chair, surrounded by the neatly stacked folders on her desk, and sipped her coffee, now lukewarm, she felt hollow: an empty pull in her chest. Tasks were completed, meetings attended, but joy felt distant. The purpose she once carried seemed to have slipped through the cracks. Wasn’t this what she always wanted? So why then does she feel so flat?
Through Life Transition Coaching, Emma began to see how her head had been ruling the roost instead of her heart. She thought this is what she wanted. But deep down, she didn’t care at all. What she wanted was connection, belonging, companionship. It was helpful for her to journal about what energised her and what drained her. She explored ways to structure her work around her values rather than expectations and external pressure. Slowly the learned behaviours of how she thought a boss, manager and leader should behave gave way to becoming more like herself. She started to show vulnerability, kindness to the relationships instead of a focus on the tasks ahead, and she asked for the projects she genuinely believed in.
Gradually, her job felt less like a check-list and more like a space where she could bring her authentic self. Clarity returned, along with a sense of fulfillment and joy she hadn’t realised was missing.
Let’s meet James…
James stared at the email, rereading the words as if repetition might make them disappear. ‘Your position has been made redundant’. The office hummed with the usual mid-afternoon buzz, oblivious to the storm that had just erupted in him. His hands turned white from holding on so strongly to the edge of his desk. Later that evening, back at home, he questioned who he was without this role and everything that it meant to him. This job, the title, the secure income, the pension contributions, the identity he had meticulously built over so long, taken away, just like that.
Life Transition Coaching helped James navigate the uncertainty. Through reflective questions that did not judge or hurry him, James began exploring interests and strengths he had long ignored or had dismissed as impractical. Hasn’t he said for years he’d like to become an entrepreneur? When he was honest with himself, didn’t he feel misaligned with the company’s values and mission for ages? Had he become passive due to the salary and comfort? Fear of the unknown and the lack of guarantees was still there at first, but it no longer held him back. Gradually, he started sketching possibilities that excited him, options that aligned with who he was beyond the office job. The uncertainty remained, but he had learned to breathe through it and stand strong despite the anxiety. What had felt like an ending, opened up a space for getting to know himself better. He’s not fully there yet, but hope has returned.
And the best bit? His friends and wife said he is more cheerful lately. The opportunity of stepping into something that feels more true to who he wants to be brings confidence and excitement.
Let’s meet Leah…
Leah packed the last of her boxes, the apartment quiet around her. Each item reminded her of a life that had ended, leaving her unsteady and unsure of what came next. The grief was sharp, the future unknown. The apartment, once full of laughter and plans, felt hollow and unfamiliar. The realisation of her marriage ending was somehow sealed with the tacky brown tape and the weight of carrying those boxes to wherever she was going next felt all too much.
Working with Vitalis Coaching & Therapy became a lifeline. In our sessions, Leah learned to step into the discomfort, to not distract herself from her feelings but to be with the anger, the hurt, the disappointment and sense of failure, the fear of the unknown. She took small decisions that reclaimed control: choosing how to spend her mornings, setting boundaries, remembering the goodness inside herself, learning to trust her instincts again. She discovered resilience in the quiet moments between pain and possibility. Over time, her self-confidence returned and she could imagine a life that belonged entirely to her, built with intention rather than circumstance.
What had felt like a rapture slowly revealed itself as a way to step into a wiser, stronger self. By approaching this transition consciously, she found clarity, independence, and the beginnings of a life that felt entirely her own.
“Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Roy T. Bennett
Life Transitions - A path to greater spiritual alignment
Life transitions often provide an invitation to deeper spiritual alignment. Through Spirituality Life Coaching (which is a part of Life Transition Coaching if you want it to be), you learn to listen to your intuition, connect with purpose, and navigate change not just practically, but meaningfully. Transition phases become part of a larger journey, one that fosters growth in identity, resilience, wellness, and connection to something greater than ourselves.
Next Step
Working with a Transition Life Coach, Counsellor & Therapist: How to take the first step today?
Clarity • Alignment • Change
Life transitions may be inevitable, but continuing to be lost or stuck is optional. Begin your journey today: our Move Forward in Life Programme helps you gain clarity, embrace change, and reconnect with your purpose. From endings to ‘the void’ to new beginnings, Life Transition Coaching & Therapy offers guidance, support, and the opportunity to move through change with confidence and alignment.
Transitions are rarely neat. They are emotional, complex, and often frightening. And yet, they are the very spaces in which growth, resilience, and transformation are born. By navigating endings consciously, embracing ‘the void’, and stepping into new beginnings with purpose, we discover not only who we are but who we can become.
When this resonates, and you’d like gentle guidance as you navigate your next step, you’re warmly welcome to explore how Vitalis Coaching & Therapy can support you.