Find Yourself Again: A Parent’s Guide for Major Life Transitions

Life as a parent is full of transitions—some more overwhelming than others. Becoming a parent, moving to a new place, navigating a divorce, or watching your child fly out of the nest—you name it. Whether it's a joyous or challenging experience, these significant life transitions can make us feel lost and disconnected from who we are. But the good news is that these moments also offer a unique opportunity to rediscover yourself—a chance to reconnect with your true self and realign with your core values. In this guide, I share why self-discovery is crucial during major life transitions, its benefits and practical steps that have helped me on my journey to rediscover myself. I hope these insights will help you find yourself during your life transitions.

What Is Self-Rediscovery?

Self-rediscovery is the process of gaining a deeper understanding of your true nature, desires, and values. For me, it’s about peeling back the layers of societal expectations, roles, and responsibilities to uncover the authentic me. When life threw significant changes my way, it shook my world and disrupted my sense of identity. Each time, it seemed like I was meeting a new version of myself—broken, healed, and reborn, lost and found again. But through that process, I always transformed and evolved, creating an even better version of myself.

Becoming a parent, for instance, shifted my focus entirely to my child, leaving me wondering who I was outside of my role as "Mama." Now, as my eldest son prepares to leave home for college, I find myself grappling with a mix of pride, sadness, and a new sense of freedom that feels unfamiliar. At the same time, my 4-year-old keeps me grounded in the demands of everyday parenting, reminding me of both the beauty and challenges of raising a young child. In addition to these personal transitions, I experienced several moves to new countries driven by my career of an international lawyer. Each move brought new challenges—adapting to different cultures, building new networks, and redefining my professional identity—while also pulling me away from my local support systems. These relocations often coincided with other major life challenges, including a separation that left me questioning my identity outside of a partnership. Divorce added another layer of complexity, pushing me to rediscover who I was as an individual. Remarriage introduced new dynamics that required me to redefine myself within a blended family, balancing these responsibilities with a long maternity break and transitioning my career to yet another new country.

The emotional and psychological effects were disorienting, but they also created space for introspection and growth. I realized that to find yourself again during critical life transitions, you have to embark on a self-discovery journey. It’s about reconnecting with your inner self and realigning with your values to navigate these changes with clarity and confidence—again and again.

Find Yourself Again: Why It Matters

Realignment with Core Values

One of the most profound realizations I had was that major life changes often prompt us to reassess what truly matters. The beliefs and priorities that once guided me no longer aligned with my new reality. This reassessment became a golden opportunity to realign with my core values and passions. For instance, moving to a new country for my career advancement required constant adaptation and reflection. Each relocation meant leaving behind familiar support systems and facing the challenge of establishing new ones, prompting me to consider what truly anchored me amidst all the change. Separation and divorce further intensified this introspection, as I had to redefine my sense of self outside of a partnership and navigate the complexities of surviving as a single mother while starting over. Through these experiences, I came to understand that reconnecting with your core values allows you to navigate these transitions more authentically, making decisions that align with who you truly are. This realignment leads to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, something I have found essential in my journey.

Building Your Resilience

Understanding myself better equipped me to handle future challenges with confidence and grace. The process of self-discovery has developed within me a stronger sense of self, which in turn built resilience—a crucial trait for managing life's inevitable ups and downs. The resilience I cultivated was particularly tested during the upheaval of international moves, including my missions to war zones and post-conflict areas, where each new environment demanded not just logistical adjustments but also stamina. Navigating the emotional aftermath of divorce added layers to this, pushing me to draw on inner strength I hadn’t fully realized I possessed. This resilience didn’t just help me to endure; it allowed me to thrive by embracing change and seeing it as an opportunity for growth.

Enhancing Overall Well-Being

At its core, self-discovery is about finding peace of mind and sense of fulfilment. The continuous process of exploring who I am and what I stand for has been integral to leading a life that feels genuinely satisfying. This alignment has brought me greater happiness, reduced stress levels, and improved my overall well-being and life satisfaction.

Practical Steps to Rediscover Yourself During Major Life Transitions

Now that you have learned about the importance of self-rediscovery and its benefits, let’s explore the life-tested practical steps that have helped me—and hopefully will help you—navigate through these transitions with greater ease and clarity.

1. Create Space for Reflection

When life changes, it’s essential to pause and make time for reflection. Whether through meditation, walking, or just sitting quietly with your thoughts, these moments allow you to process emotions and reconnect with yourself. For me, reflection became a lifeline during significant transitions, like the end of my marriage and adjusting to life as a single mother. Meditation and practicing mindfulness helped me to find calm and manage uncertainty, while exercise became a time to think through challenges, such as adapting after a major life event. These rituals—whether through movement or quiet moments with a cup of coffee—offered clarity and balance, helping me manage life’s shifts with intention and grace. I encourage you to find your own reflective practices, whether during exercise, meditation, or simply in stillness. Creating space for reflection helps you reconnect with yourself and embrace the changes life brings.

2. Identify What You Value

Major life transitions offer a unique opportunity to assess what truly matters to you. Ask yourself what values or passions have remained constant throughout your life. What new priorities have emerged as a result of this transition? For example, my values shifted significantly when I became a parent and then again during my international career transitions. While I had always valued success and achievement, becoming a mother and experiencing personal loss brought family, stability, peace of mind and balance to the forefront of my priorities. Each transition gave me a fresh perspective on what truly mattered in my life. Whether it's family, career, creativity, adventure, or spirituality, defining your core values will guide your decisions and help you face the changes more purposefully.

3. Reevaluate Your Goals

After reconnecting with your core values, take time to reassess your goals. Are the goals you previously set still relevant to your current self? What new goals now resonate with the person you’ve become? Adjusting your goals ensures that they align with your authentic self, rather than outdated ambitions or the expectations of others. During my own transitions, I had to release old goals and reimagine new paths. After my divorce, I shifted away from a career focused on frequent relocations and prioritized a balanced lifestyle where my child and meaningful work could coexist. Similarly, after taking a long maternity break, I had to rethink my career aspirations within the context of my new life. Read more in my blog about goal setting and achieving them as you navigate your own transitions.

4. Embrace Change as a Catalyst for Growth

It’s natural to resist change, especially when it disrupts our sense of stability. But when we shift our mindset and view change as a catalyst for growth, we allow ourselves to evolve in ways we might never have imagined. Embrace the discomfort and trust that the transition, no matter how challenging, is an opportunity for personal transformation. As I moved to different countries, dealt with the end of a marriage, and built a new blended family, each experience stretched me in ways I couldn’t even imagine. Embracing these changes helped me uncover strengths I never knew I had—like resilience, adaptability, capacity for love and forgiveness.

5. Reconnect with What Brings You Joy

Amidst the turbulence of life transitions, it’s easy to lose touch with the things that bring us joy. Make it a priority to rediscover what makes you feel alive and fulfilled. Whether it’s revisiting old hobbies, discovering new passions, or simply carving out time for activities that make you happy, this is a crucial part of rediscovering yourself. In the whirlwind of parenting, career changes, and personal upheaval, I realized I had neglected the things that once brought me joy—such as leisure reading and drawing, for example. Reconnecting with these activities helped me regain a sense of balance and satisfaction with my life. These moments of joy became a powerful reminder of who I am at my core, beyond the roles and responsibilities I had taken on.

6. Build a Support Network

Surrounding yourself with supportive people is essential during times of transition. Seek out friends, family members, or mentors who can offer guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Building a support network can make a world of difference in how you handle these changes. During my transitions, I found solace in talking with friends and fellow mothers who had experienced similar challenges. Their support and shared wisdom provided me with a sense of community and belonging, even when I felt like I was going through it all alone. In times of chaos, we often need the reassurance that we are not the only ones swimming these uncertain waters. Having a trusted support system in place can help you find strength and comfort as you rediscover yourself.

Moving Forward with Confidence and Clarity

Self-discovery is a lifelong journey. As life changes, so do we. With every transition—no matter how overwhelming—you have the power to reconnect with your true self, realign with your values, and emerge even stronger. It’s okay to feel lost at times, to grieve the life you once knew, or to feel unsure about what comes next. Within that uncertainty lies an opportunity—a chance to rediscover yourself, redefine your goals, and reimagine your future. Embrace the process, trust in your resilience, and take it one day at a time. You are capable of not just surviving but thriving. Believe that every transition is an opportunity for growth.

Life challenges can shake us up to our core, but they also offer a space to reflect and grow. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself as you are going through transitions. Allow time for self-discovery and trust that each step is bringing you closer to who you’re meant to be. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I’ve offered comfort and guidance. Though our paths may differ, the pursuit of self-discovery is universal. By following these steps, you can approach life's changes with greater clarity and confidence, embracing the possibilities ahead.

Self-discovery is a work in progress. As you grow, your understanding of yourself will deepen. Embrace this journey with an open heart and a curious mind, being patient with yourself as you explore new facets of your identity. Whether navigating a major transition or seeking personal growth, remember that the journey itself is as valuable as the destination. I’ve rediscovered myself through different phases of life—whether parenting, adapting to new environments, or overcoming personal challenges. This process of continuous self-reflection has helped me live a balanced and fulfilling life.

Book Me

To help others on this path, I regularly share insights, practical advice, and personal reflections through my blog. Read my blog to learn more about self-discovery, personal growth, and navigating transitions. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more inspiration, tips, and glimpses into my everyday life. Ready to take the next step? You don’t have to do it alone. As someone who’s walked this path, I’m here to support you. Book a free discovery call today, and let’s start uncovering the best version of you. You owe it to yourself to rediscover your true potential and get the most out of your life!

Gulnoz

Your Life Coach for Parents