“
"Healing isn’t about forgetting what happened. It’s about releasing its hold so your hands are free to embrace what’s ahead."
Transitions are supposed to feel exciting; a new job, a new opportunity, a fresh start. But sometimes, stepping into something new only reveals the pain we’ve been carrying all along.
I recall years ago when I started my new job, I expected joy. Instead, I found myself guarded, cynical, and easily irritated. Conflicts felt bigger than they were, and I realized I wasn’t reacting to the job. I was reacting from the last one.
It was embarrassing to admit. That wasn’t me. It was the version of me I had to become to survive in my previous role. But in this new space, I didn’t need that armor anymore.
A Black Lady Health Tip ❤️🩹
Clinicians of Color is a directory connecting people to culturally competent therapists who understand the unique experiences of Black and Brown communities.
I’ve shared this resource before, but it’s worth repeating because it’s that valuable. In fact, it’s how I found my current therapist, someone who truly sees me and understands how my experiences shape my healing.
If you’ve been thinking about therapy but didn’t know where to start, this is a great first step. Healing through transitions is so much easier when you have support that understands your story. 💛
|
|
|
Reflection
Healing through a transition is messy. You think you’ve moved on because your environment has changed, but your nervous system, your emotions, and your habits might still be living in survival mode.
I compared it to entering a new relationship while still carrying heartbreak from the old one. You can’t build trust when your guard is always up.
Through self-reflection (and friends who lovingly held up a mirror), I began to see what was happening. And looking back, I know therapy should’ve been part of that journey from the start.
Just recently, my health provider introduced me to the concept of adjustment disorder, and how differently it shows up in Black women. We don’t always have the “textbook” signs. We keep pushing through. We go to work, handle business, show up for our families — all while quietly unraveling inside. For me, irritability was the red flag. I thought I just needed rest. I didn’t realize there was a name for what I was going through.
Healing Outlook
If you’re in a new season but still feel the sting of the old one, you’re not alone. Here’s what helped (and what I’m still learning):
- Self-Reflection – Ask, “Am I responding to this situation, or reacting from an old wound?”
- Accountability – Surround yourself with people who lovingly call you out and remind you of who you are.
- Professional Support – Therapy isn’t just for crisis — it’s for clarity. Seek a provider who understands the unique ways stress shows up in Black women.
- Grace – You are not broken. You’re healing from places you were never meant to stay.
✍🏾Journal Prompt
What parts of my old environment, habits, or mindset am I still carrying that no longer serve me in this new season?
|
|
💪🏾Challenge Yourself
Schedule one intentional act of healing this week (e.g., journaling about a past hurt, talking it through with a trusted friend, or booking a therapy session).
|
|
💅🏾Affirmation
I release what no longer serves me and make room for peace, clarity, and joy in this new season.
|
Final Thought
We don’t want to work hard for new opportunities only to sabotage them with old pain. You deserve to step into every new space with a healed heart, clear mind, and open spirit.
You don’t have to carry it all alone. Healing is part of the transition.
With love,
Ingrid
