Tags
awareness, changes, communication, forgiveness, moving, pregnancy, stress, transitions
As you may know, I don’t choose the order of topics that we cover in this blog. We follow the strategies given in Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love, covering one strategy per week. That makes it all the more amazing that this week is all about transitions, because there is an incredible amount of transition in my life right now. How am I handling it so far? Well, I’m doing my best.
First of all, I’m pregnant, and this is our first, so that is a huge deal for both of us. Second, I started a new job last week teaching PE, which I have never taught before, and several of my classes are with younger kids than I have worked with before. I was mostly observing last week, but this week I am on my own to lead the classes. To top it all off, we are moving in two weeks to shorten our commutes and be closer to the hospital.
Balancing During the Transitions
My husband and I are just starting to move into these transitions, so I am starting to use some of the strategies we have talked about this week, along with a few others. The other day, I reminded my husband that we are going into some major transitions, and that we need to be especially kind to each other, and I have begun to remind myself of this on a regular basis. I’m taking care of myself physically by taking naps to recover after work and making sure I bring plenty of food to work with me. Soon, we will start to pack in preparation for moving, and we have set it up so we have a full week to move out of our current house and get it ready for the new tenants.
Two Bonus Strategies!
Mostly though, I think our success in making all these changes will come down to two strategies that haven’t been discussed here yet:
1. Practice Self-Control
Self-control is always essential to relationships, but it is particularly important during the stress of transitions. When you are tempted to say something in the heat of the moment, take a moment to ask yourself, “In the long run, will this comment hurt or help our relationship?”
2. Forgive Freely, and Ask for Forgiveness Frequently
No matter how amazing you and your partner are (my husband is pretty amazing!), neither one of you is perfect, and in the stress of transitions, it is inevitable that both of you will behave badly at times. Give grace to yourself and your partner and be willing to forgive when your partner messes up and to admit when you mess up.
And remember: transitions are temporary, but your relationship is not. Be intentional about protecting your relationship during transitions, and your relationship will be better for it. I know that the transitions that my husband and I are going through right now are going to strain our relationship at times, but I believe that we will come out the other side with an even greater confidence in our ability to make it through the tough times together.