I’m reading a marvelous book right now... LIFE is in the Transitions, Mastering Change at Any Age by Bruce Feiler.
The topic of transitions, of any kind and really, of any magnitude, is a topic that I have been fascinated with recently: how we navigate transitions, how resistant we are to their inherent change, their positive or negative impact in our lives, and how our attitude affects the story we tell ourselves about them. I’m considering doing a series of video interviews with women of all ages who are undergoing a transition of some kind...moving, having a child, getting married, getting a divorce, getting old.
For truly, as we all know, change...and transitions...are the only constant. On a personal note, I am reflecting on this topic as I cross the benchmark of 1000 videos on my YouTube channel. What started out as simply a love for gardening, words and composition of all manner of things ultimately morphed, or transitioned over time into what is now (strangely to me) a brand, a business and a responsibility to and for others. Truly, something to celebrate, reflect on and marvel at... especially since the ‘product’ I.e. YouTube videos, didn’t even exist when I planted my first tulip, killed my first plant and designed my first garden.
Now I, and you perhaps, are transitioning in other areas of our lives as well. Downsizing or upsizing, losing or gaining a spouse, retiring or getting laid off. Or maybe just mixing things up by transitioning into a new physical expression of ourselves...by going gray, or switching up our wardrobes, or improving our attitudes towards challenges and the inevitabilities of living a long life.
Speaking of transitions, this month we not only celebrate 1000 YouTube videos, but also one year in the Cottage, which has undergone a whole transition of its own this year.
I am fascinated by those who take life’s pilgrimage with its passages, adjustments and struggles, and manage to exhibit grace, equanimity, acceptance and even style while processing and adjusting to life’s changes. I am looking for transition mentors - ‘transitionistas’ - if you will, who can help guide me through the next years and hopefully, decades.
Please let me know if you too find this topic compelling and if you are comfortable sharing your life transitions by commenting below or reaching out to us. We can all learn and grow with one another and maybe be better humans in the process!
Dear Linda, I'm 72 and very grateful to have found you. Looking back I would walked a different path, that cannot be changed. You have encouraged me to keep going, the path has not come to an end. Thank you.
I would love to hear more about transitions, as I am in the midst of a big one. I have loved being a stay-at-home mom for most of the last 19 years, but my oldest went off to college this year, and my youngest will do the same in a couple years. I’m too young to “retire,” but not sure about what I want to do next. Gardening and volunteer work help fill the void, but I feel like I should be doing more. Historically I haven‘t handled transitions all that well, so I‘d like to be more thoughtful about this one.
I have mixed feelings about the new direction you are contemplating. Since moving into the cottage the content has definitely expanded and it’s evident you are working to create a brand, but I’m here primarily for the gardening, so too much of the other content diffuses the gardening. It may be time for me to move on and that’s okay.
Hi Linda and all your other transitionistas out there. I am one of your tribe.
First let me congratulate you Linda on your 1000 videos! I have seen many of these and some I have repeat watched... you are much more than a brand to me and I am sure to many of your followers. Like someone commented below you DO truly INSPIRE us. Watching you is like spending time with a friend... and I want to thank you and the team for all you do and all you share.
As a 63 year old, who retired a little over a year ago, I can relate to some of the comments below. Personally, I LOVE retirement and actually say this…
I love your letters! As for change...well, we lost our entire first floor of our home to Hurricane Harvey w/5' of water, lived in a rented house for 9 months, soon had one of the first Covid cases at the time before the vaccines and people were dying every 5 days, my SIL passed from cancer, then the other SIL passed away, etc. etc. I found your videos during Covid and found peace in my garden which I do ad nauseam now. It's it peaceful for me and great therapy and it's improving each year! I owe you! It's been a really big transition for my 72 years but I am fortunate to be married to a wonderful m…