Ferry Rides and Transitions
Transition: a change or shift from one state, subject, place, etc. to another.
I have been thinking a lot about transitions lately. In part, it’s because it is summer time, full of traveling. My family has been moving from one place to the next, settling in, only to uproot again and proceed on to the next spot.
Yesterday, we drove 2 hours from Seattle to Gooseberry Point Ferry Dock, a somewhat frazzled trip with kid music blasting and a dog panting in my ear. But then … we got to enjoy the beautiful 7 minute ferry ride from the mainland to Lummi Island, WA. This was a joyful opportunity to sit back with the car sun roof and windows open, feel the salty ocean breeze, take in the stunning sights of nature, say to myself, “goodbye mainland, hello island”, and fully embrace the transition.
I am going to use that ferry ride as a metaphor to inspire later in this blog.
But first, I want to mention that I have also recently become aware of HOW MANY transitions happen throughout any given day in my life as a mom running a business from home, doing all the things to manage home life and work life, etc. I wonder if others experience a plethora of transitions throughout your days given the busyness of modern life and a vibe I sense that collectively the majority of us are in multi-tasking mode! I hear from clients that there are just so many tasks on the to-do list and not enough time to get to it all.
In my own personal experience, this leads to bouncing quickly from one activity to the next in an attempt to squeeze it all in, without space to genuinely acknowledge transitions. Overtime, day in and day out, this frays on the nerves. Can anyone else relate?!!!
Whether it is travel or daily transitions, I notice how easily I can start to feel uncentered in my mind and my body. Mentally it shows up as scattered thinking, overwhelm, and potential irritability. Physically it shows up as a variety of symptoms such as muscle tension, shallow breathing, or digestive discomfort.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, I might say that the vata dosha is in excess and I would start to ask myself what I need to do to bring that dosha back into balance. If you are curious to learn more, you can read about the doshas or specifically about balancing the vata dosha.
But going back to the lovely ferry ride yesterday, I want to share a few tips for easeful transitions that are supporting me in staying centered and relaxed right now even when transitions are at every turn.
Maybe they can be helpful for you.
1) Make a point to acknowledge that a transition is happening. You can do this by simply naming it to yourself. (Examples: “My work time is coming to an end and I am going to be with my family now.” OR “I am leaving this location and I will be traveling to the next place.”
2) Develop simple rituals to ferry you from one activity/place/focus through to the next.
Example of a daily transition ritual from work time to family time.
Celebrate what you’ve completed.
Briefly identify what will be the priority next time you return to work.
“Close up shop” by putting away your computer or reading/writing materials, etc. or by literally leaving the office.
Take 1-5 minutes to breathe and feel supported by the earth underneath you, either standing, sitting or lying down. With each exhale, consciously let go of your work time. With each inhale, invite your body and mind to fully enter the present moment and get ready to step into family time.
(Note: You could apply this ritual to any daily transition such as finishing a phone conversation and then walking into the kitchen to start cooking dinner or going from one meeting to the next.)
Examples of travel transition rituals as you move from one place to the next.
Pay extra attention to your breath throughout the travel journey. If you notice your breathing becomes shallow or you have started to do mouth breathing, shift to nose breathing and take three conscious, slower breaths, accentuating the exhalation. This will bring your nervous system back into the rest and digest state.
Consciously put on your “patience glasses” so that you can be forgiving with yourself and others as you go through an adjustment phase, which might include a few days on either side of your actual travel time when things are less settled.
Bookend each day with 1-2 minutes of presence and self awareness to help you stay centered. In the morning this might look like witnessing your surroundings and setting a personal intention. At night this might look like massaging your feet, reflecting upon your day and envisioning what you’d like tomorrow to look like.
Identify doable modifications for staying true to your essential self care habits, e.g. adjusting to a 5 min meditation practice if you can’t fit in your usual longer meditation time. Write down these modifications or name them out loud to a loved one or friend for accountability.
Imagine any of these tips bringing you closer to the feeling of crossing that waterway to Lummi Island on the little twenty car ferry … present, carried with ease, and enjoying the ride. I know not every transition involves going to a beautiful island! But I do believe there is great value in pausing to embrace the transition phases instead of rushing through without awareness, no matter what’s coming next. Give it a try, remembering the image of the ferry boat ride, and see if the above suggestions can support you in feeling “ferried” through life’s various states, activities, places, etc. with more ease, flow, and centeredness.
You can continue receiving inspiration about holistic health, self care, and Ayurveda by checking out The Nurturing You Experiment, my annual Ayurvedic health habits course for women. You can also join my Abbie Silvers Wellness Group Facebook page to access community support and free group challenges.
