Between Seasons: Why Transitions Feel So Hard (and So Important)

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist | Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

Posted: August 27, 2026

Four Days and Counting... Eeeek!

As I sit down to write this blog, I can't help but laugh a little.

In four days, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc. will officially be moving into our new office space.

Four days.

Eeeek!

There are boxes everywhere. Furniture is being moved. Plans are being finalized. Lists are being checked and rechecked.

It's exciting.

It's overwhelming.

It's emotional.

And honestly, it's a perfect reminder of something we talk about often in therapy:

Transitions are hard—even when they're good.

At the very same time our clinic is preparing for this major move, families across Nova Scotia are experiencing transitions of their own.

Backpacks are being purchased.

School supplies are being labelled.

Campers are being cleaned out and put away for another season.

Vacation photos are being uploaded.

Calendars are filling back up.

The season is changing.

And so are we.

Life Happens in the In-Between

Most people think the hardest part of change is the beginning or the end.

But often, the hardest part is the middle.

The in-between.

The place where one chapter is ending but the next chapter hasn't fully begun.

That's where many of us find ourselves in late August.

Summer isn't quite over.

But it doesn't feel fully here anymore either.

School hasn't started.

But everyone is preparing for it.

The move hasn't happened.

But we're already saying goodbye to the old space.

These in-between seasons can create uncertainty.

And uncertainty can create anxiety.

Why Transitions Affect Mental Health

Humans are creatures of habit.

Our brains love predictability.

We like knowing what comes next.

We find comfort in routines.

Even positive changes can activate stress responses because they require adjustment.

Research on life transitions consistently shows that major changes—even desired ones—can temporarily increase stress levels because our brains must adapt to new circumstances.

This is why you may feel:

• Excited and anxious at the same time

• Happy but emotional

• Ready for change but sad to let go

• Grateful and overwhelmed simultaneously

  
  

These feelings aren't contradictory.

They're normal.

The Back-to-School Transition

For many families, the biggest transition happening right now is the return to school.

Children may experience:

• Anxiety about new teachers

• Worries about friendships

• Fear of the unknown

• Excitement mixed with nervousness

Parents often experience their own version of transition stress:

• Financial pressure from school supplies

• Changes in schedules and routines

• Childcare planning

• Emotional reactions to children growing up

Even positive milestones can come with mixed emotions.

As a mother, I remember these transitions well.

There were years when I was excited to get back into routine and simultaneously sad that another summer had passed.

Now that my children are adults, I find myself looking at school buses and backpacks with a completely different perspective.

Sometimes I miss those busy mornings.

Sometimes I don't.

Both can be true.

Putting the Camper Away

There's something symbolic about watching campers being cleaned, winterized, and tucked away for the season.

The same can be said for boats, cottages, and summer toys.

It's not just about storing equipment.

It's about acknowledging that a season is ending.

And endings—even healthy ones—can bring feelings of loss.

Many of us don't realize how much our mood is tied to the rhythm of the seasons until those rhythms begin to change.

A Personal Reflection

This year, the transition feels especially significant.

Venture is leaving the space that watched us grow from a dream into a thriving clinic.

We've celebrated victories there.

Supported clients through difficult seasons.

Welcomed new therapists.

Expanded our services.

Built relationships.

Created memories.

In just a few days, we'll carry all of that history into a new space.

I'm excited.

Truly.

But I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some sadness too.

Because growth often asks us to leave behind something familiar—even when we're moving toward something wonderful.

How to Navigate Times of Transition

When life feels uncertain, there are a few things that can help.

Acknowledge the Change.

Don't rush yourself through it.

Name what's happening.

Recognize both the excitement and the discomfort.

Maintain Simple Routines

When major changes occur, familiar routines can provide stability.

Keep regular meal times, sleep schedules, and moments of self-care where possible.

Focus on What Isn't Changing

When everything feels different, remind yourself of what remains constant.

Your values.

Your relationships.

Your strengths.

Your support system.

Give Yourself Grace

Transitions require energy.

It's okay if you're more emotional, tired, or distracted than usual.

Your brain is doing important work adapting.

Growth Lives in the Transition

One of the things I've learned over the years is that we often focus so much on the destination that we forget the transition itself has value.

The transition is where resilience is built.

It's where we practice flexibility.

It's where we learn that we can handle uncertainty.

And sometimes, it's where we discover strengths we didn't know we had.

Final Thoughts

As August comes to a close, I find myself standing between seasons.

Between offices.

Between summer and fall.

Between what was and what will be.

Maybe you are too.

If so, know this:

You don't have to rush through the transition.

You don't have to have it all figured out.

You simply have to take the next step.

Because every new chapter begins with a period of uncertainty.

And every meaningful season of growth begins with a transition.

Sign-Off

With excitement for new beginnings, gratitude for where we've been, and trust in what's ahead,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist

Founder & Clinical Director

Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

A Reflection for You

What transition are you currently navigating—and how might you offer yourself a little more grace as you move through it?