Your Life in Transition: A DIY Toolbox for Reinventing Yourself

Reimagine, Redesign, Reconstruct: The Ultimate Guide to Life Transitions

What we need for life transitions, aka major life changes, like for building IKEA furniture, is a manual, preferably with cryptic diagrams that don’t make you doubt your intelligence, and leave you with a few loose screws (where were they supposed to go?!) left over at the end. Life transitions are messy and chaotic, and raise a lot of difficult-to-answer questions. Whether you’re changing careers, starting a business, or rebuilding after a personal upheaval, your life is basically a DIY project.

What would a manual for the DIY project “Life Transition” look like? The 6 steps below will shed some light on the process:

Step 1: Determine the Extent of the Mess (a.k.a. Take Stock of Where You Are)

Imagine walking into your garage or attic and deciding it’s time to “declutter.” Five minutes in, you’re knee-deep in old tennis rackets, boxes of mystery cables, and your high school yearbook (that haircut!). Life transitions are no different.

Maybe you’re leaving a draining job, grappling with an empty nest, or realising you want to live somewhere that doesn’t require shovelling snow 6 months of the year. Before you can reorganise, you need to figure out what’s still useful and what belongs in the metaphorical trash can.

DIY Tip: What are you holding onto that’s no longer serving you? Old beliefs? Toxic relationships? Your “I’m not good enough” inner monologue? Toss those in the bin!

Step 2: Gather Your Tools (But Don’t Overcomplicate It)

If you’ve ever attempted a home project, you know the tools you think you need versus the ones you actually use are on two very different lists. That $300 multi-functional gadget you bought on a whim? Still in its packaging. But your grandfather’s trusty hammer? MVP.

Life transition tools are no different. Don’t get overwhelmed by thinking you need certifications, the fanciest tech, or an MBA to make progress. Not so. You probably already have what you need to start.

DIY Tip: Use your existing strengths. Good at listening? You’re halfway to building better relationships. A knack for creativity? Channel it into a new hobby or business.

Step 3: Follow a Blueprint (But Leave Room for Creativity)

Every project starts with a plan, but if you’ve ever assembled flat-pack furniture, you know plans rarely survive first contact with reality. The same goes for life transitions.

Your blueprint might involve neatly bullet-pointed lists, vision boards, or journaling (by the way, daily journaling is underrated—see prompts below). But don’t be surprised when reality throws in a curveball or two.

DIY Tip: Be flexible. Your dream of moving to Italy might start with learning Italian in your local café. Have a plan, yes, but embrace detours. Some of the best ideas happen when Plan A falls apart and you’re forced to innovate.

Step 4: Expect Setbacks (Because the Internet Lied About How Easy This Was Going to Be)

You know those Pinterest boards of perfectly renovated kitchens? What they don’t show you is the six-month delay, the paint colour disaster, and the plumber who ghosted you. Life changes are no different.

When you’re in transition, setbacks are part of the package. Your job interview might bomb. Your first product launch might flop. But every failure is a lesson in disguise—and yes, I know how annoying that sounds (and feels.)

DIY Tip: When things go sideways, ask, What can I learn from this? And no, “Never trust Steve from accounting” doesn’t count as growth. Fail fast, learn quickly, and move forward. Be like them.

Step 5: Call in Experts (When your DIY Skills aren’t up to Scratch)

There’s a moment in many DIY projects where you face the hard truth: you’re out of your depth. Whether it’s rewiring your house or navigating a major life transition, sometimes it’s okay to call in reinforcements.

DIY Tip: Coaches, therapists, or supportive friends can be lifesavers. Don’t go it alone when things get overwhelming. Hire a pro when needed. Someone to hold your hand while you tackle the scary bits—investing in help can save time, money, and safeguard your sanity.

Step 6: Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

The first shelf you put up might lean a little to the left. Guess what? That’s still progress!

In life transitions, progress often looks like one tiny, imperfect step at a time. And that’s okay. Celebrate every victory, no matter how small.

DIY Tip: Found the courage to leave a toxic situationship? High-five yourself! Managed to cook dinner without burning it? Do a happy dance. Every step forward deserves recognition.

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10 Tools for Your DIY Life Transition Toolbox

1. Self-Reflection Journal
   • Purpose: To clarify your thoughts, identify your goals, and track your progress.
   • Bonus: Journaling prompts further down the page.
2. Emotional First Aid Kit
   • Contents: Stress-relief techniques (like deep breathing), uplifting playlists, and comfort items like your favourite tea or cosy socks.
   • Purpose: To stabilise your mood during those “why is this so incredibly hard?” moments.
3. Support Network
   • Includes: Friends, family, mentors, or support groups who actually listen and encourage you.
   • Purpose: To remind you that you’re not alone and that you don’t need to do everything yourself.
4. Daily Routine Planner
   • Purpose: To establish small, consistent habits that anchor you during chaos.
   • Tip: Keep it simple—don’t overwhelm yourself with perfectionist scheduling.
5. Financial Plan
   • Purpose: To manage the practical realities of going through a life transition.
   • Action: Budget templates, financial advice, or an emergency fund.
6. Books or Podcasts
   • Focus Areas: Self-growth, resilience, or even escapism to help you recharge your batteries.
   • Recommendation: Look for books, films, podcasts and TED-talks about people who’ve navigated transitions successfully.
7. Boundary-Setting Toolkit
   • Includes: Phrases like “No, thank you” or “That doesn’t work for me right now.”
   • Purpose: To protect your time, energy, and mental health.
8. Skills Upgrade Guide
   • Purpose: To identify and work on the skills you’ll need for your next chapter, whether personal or professional.
   • Tip: Online courses or workshops can be a game-changer (see Rearing to Get Going in a New Direction online course below.)
9. Vision Board, Goal Tracker or Mind Map
   • Purpose: To visualise your goals and the steps to achieve them. To keep you motivated.
   • Bonus: To keep going when setbacks hit—because they will, and you’ll survive them.
10. Self-Care Kit
    • Form: Items that nurture you: bubble bath, good books, playlists, etc.
    • Purpose: To recharge your physical, emotional and spiritual batteries.

With these tools in your metaphorical toolbox, you’ll be ready to tackle any life transition like the pro DIY-er you are!

5 Journaling Prompts to help You use this Tool Box

1. Reflection on Your Support Network
Take some time to reflect on the people who currently support you. Who are they, and how do they show up in your life? Consider what makes you feel seen, heard, and valued. On the flip side, think about any relationships that feel drained or negative. How do they affect your emotional well-being? Use this insight to explore how you can strengthen connections with supportive people and establish boundaries with those who may not have your best interests at heart.

2. Clarifying Your Vision
Picture your life five years from now. Where are you? What are you doing? Who is by your side? Let this visualisation flow freely, capturing the details that make this future feel exciting and fulfilling. Next, reflect on your present: what aspects of your current life do you want to carry forward into this future, and what do you wish to leave behind? Finally, identify one or two small steps you can take this week to bring your life closer to this vision.

3. Evaluating Boundaries
Think about a recent situation that left you feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated, or taken advantage of. Reflect on what boundary might have prevented that experience or reduced its impact. Look at areas of your life where saying “no” feels the hardest—whether at work, in relationships, or within your own inner dialogue. Now, imagine setting one specific boundary this week that protects your time, energy, or emotions. Write about how that could positively shift your experience.

4. Navigating Setbacks with Flexibility
Recall a time when your plans didn’t go as expected. Write about the challenges you faced and what lessons you gained from the experience. Were there unexpected opportunities or insights that arose from the setback? Explore how adapting to the situation helped you grow or changed your perspective. Finally, consider your current transition: what steps can you take now to embrace uncertainty with more grace and flexibility?

5. Cultivating Daily Rituals
Examine the daily habits or routines that currently bring you a sense of stability. Which ones do you value most, and why? Contrast this with any habits that feel stagnant or obstructive. Then, design a “perfect” morning or evening routine that supports your well-being during this transition. Describe it in detail, imagining how it feels to live this new rhythm. In my Rearing to Get Going in a New Direction, I’ll help you create the most effective morning and evening routines for YOU.

Does Liza’s Story Sound Familiar?

Liza hit rock bottom in the cereal aisle.

She was standing there, staring at the Cheerios, when it happened. One of those glossy women from her yoga class strolled by with a cart full of organic produce and a smile that said, I’ve got my life together. Meanwhile, Liza’s cart was half-full of frozen lasagna and discount wine.

The woman paused. “Hi, Liza! How are you?”

Liza plastered on a smile. “Great! Just, uh, running errands.”

But the moment the woman turned the corner, Liza gripped the cart like it was a life raft. Who am I kidding? she thought. She wasn’t “great.” She hadn’t felt great in months.

At 49, she’d been feeling… restless. It was like she was in a book, stuck in the middle chapter, unsure if the story would ever move forward again. Her youngest had just left for college, leaving the house so quiet she could hear the hum of the refrigerator. Work was a dead end; she’d been doing the same thing for 15 years and could probably do it blindfolded. Her marriage to Jeff was “fine”—fine in the way oatmeal is fine when what you really wanted was crème brûlée.

Liza who used to have big dreams, was now wondering if “dreams” were just illusions you had before you started buying the anti-wrinkle cream. Her mind churned: Is this it? Is this really all there is?

Is it too late for me to figure out what I really want? she thought.

And then, out of nowhere, she remembered something her dad used to say: “If you don’t like the way it’s built, grab your tools and start over.”

He’d been talking about furniture—he was a carpenter who hated store-bought junk. But the phrase stuck with her. What if life worked the same way? What if she could grab her tools and start her life over?

She wasn’t sure where to start, but when she got home, she opened a blank notebook and wrote three words across the top:

“My Life is a DIY Project.”

And if her life was a DIY project, starting over as many times as needed was perfectly okay.

With that spark of insight, Liza decided to test her affirmation. She grabbed a notebook and wrote:

1. Deconstruct: What’s not working?
2. Reimagine: What would this look like if I could start fresh?
3. Reconstruct: One small change at a time.

The first test subject? Herself.

She started small—taking an online course in graphic design because she’d always loved colour and typography. Soon, she was tinkering with her own business idea: creating quirky, affordable branding kits for small businesses. It felt…fun. Like those teenage projects, but with the potential to make her some cash.

Next, she turned her garage into a workshop. Literally. She painted a wall sunshine yellow and hung a neon sign that said, “This is where the magic happens.” It felt like a promise to herself.

As she worked, she began sharing her journey online—raw and real. She posted pictures of her half-finished projects with captions like:

“My first client said they wanted ‘bold but calm.’ Same, girl, same.”

Her relatability drew in followers. Other midlife women reached out, sharing their own frustrations. They weren’t just looking for inspiration; they wanted tools. How did Liza make this shift? Where did she start?

And that’s when she realised: if your life is a DIY project, your business can be too.

She created a course called Fixer Upper You—a cheeky, step-by-step guide for women ready to renovate their careers and rediscover themselves. It was part motivation, part blueprint, and entirely unapologetic. (“Step one: Stop giving a damn what Karen from the PTA thinks.”)

Fast forward six months, and Liza was sitting in her bright yellow workshop, sipping coffee from a mug that read, “DIY Queen.” She wasn’t rich yet, or Instagram famous. But she was happy. Fulfilled. And for the first time in years, she was excited about where her story was headed.

Because life is meant to be a wild, wonderful work-in-progress.

Your life does not have to be perfect to be wildly rewarding. Keep showing up, keep building, and when in doubt, remember: every great DIY project begins with an idea.

Are You Stuck in a Rut?

Grab your metaphorical hammer, roll up your sleeves, and get to work. You’ve got this.

⚡It’s Time to Pivot Into Your True Life Purpose! ⚡

Let’s be honest: you didn’t come this far just to shuffle through another year feeling stuck, tired, and meh. You’re not here to coast—you’re here to matter. So why does it feel like your life purpose is playing hide-and-seek with you?

It’s Time to Change That.

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The question is, are you ready to pivot? Because waiting for the stars to align or for life to magically “figure itself out” isn’t a strategy—it’s a trap.

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