Since I live in DC and am in the non-profit sector many of my family and friends are being directly impacted by the chaotic changes roiling the federal government. Budget delays, political shifts, changing priorities. It’s exhausting. When I talk with them, I hear the stress and strain that is taking a toll on their mental and physical health. Additionally, a lot of them, like me, need to figure out their next career move.

One framework I keep in mind when I am in a period of change, whether it is personal or organizational is William Bridges’ three stages of transition – Endings, the Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings. Being in the neutral zone is hard. It’s the space between what’s ended and what hasn’t yet begun. It’s disorienting. It’s also necessary.

In this phase, resilience doesn’t mean powering through. It means learning how to be okay in the not-knowing. It means staying grounded and supported, even when clarity hasn’t arrived yet.

One of the most essential elements of resilience is community. Who’s on your personal and professional support team? I’ve found it helps to have people in your corner who play four key roles:

• Comforters – The family or friends who offer empathy, tissues, and takeout when you’re struggling.
• Challengers – The colleagues or mentors who ask hard questions and push you to grow.
• Celebrators – The cheerleaders who are excited for your wins and reflect back your strengths.
• Clarifiers – The critical friends who help you sort through the noise and see what really matters.

If you’re in transition, lean into these relationships. And if you don’t have people in all four categories, that’s a good place to start building.

It’s also worth noticing the habits that don’t help—especially the ones that give the illusion of relief. When uncertainty creeps in, it’s tempting to fall into numbing cycles: doomscrolling social media, pouring another glass of wine, staying “busy” instead of being still. I’ve done them all and still have to remind myself that while they feel good and might quiet discomfort for a moment, they don’t build resilience. They drain it.

What does help? Patience. And finding small, steadying rituals that restore you. For me, it’s birdwatching out my dining room window and paying attention to the changes in nature. Throwing mud (ceramics) with messy hands in a community of creative learners. A walk or workout that burns off the edge. These practices don’t solve the unknown—but they help me stay present for it.

Whatever your version of “neutral zone” looks like right now, I hope you give yourself permission to feel it fully, move through it slowly, and gather the people and practices that help you stay resilient.

The new beginning is coming. You don’t have to rush it. You just have to keep moving forward.

If you want to learn more tips about successful networking and start building our your plan, join my live session on April 8, 2025 register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QT4YV4eRSHivwmzcRmM-BA

You can watch the shost video summary here: https://youtu.be/B60pjgF6c_U