If you’re a parent you will probably know what I am talking about. Or, if you’ve ever seen a child carrying (and refusing to let go of) their favorite toy, you’ll understand this.
I learned about this from my very cute dog, Cali. Almost every time we leave the house, she has to take her very favorite tennis ball with her. When my niece gave her this ball about 5 years ago, it was almost brand new and was yellow and fuzzy. Now, the yellow and fuzziness have worn off and all that’s left is the shell of the ball. But, it’s still Cali’s favorite. I’ve tried to get her to play with other tennis balls but she’s not interested. (In the picture below – she has a whole bin of toys that she ignores. All she cares about is this ball)
It was explained to me by her Veterinarian, that the “transition item” helps her go to a new place and feel safe and comfortable. Little children take their favorite doll, truck, or stuff animal. But, when we grow up, we stop doing that because our parents tell us not to or because of peer pressure.
Well, recently, I’ve gotten back into taking a “transition item” with me when I have something special to do -or a new experience, such as speak at an event. I even surround myself with those types of items when I’m speaking on teleseries. When I see these items, they make me happy and feel even more confident. From where I sit at my desk, I can see photographs and gifts that are very special to me.
I am holding a 2 –day live Ultimate Success Solutions Workshop this coming October and I plan on bringing several transition items with me to have near me while I speak. Both of them are gifts that were given to me that mean a lot to me. Here’s the information about my upcoming workshop: http://www.successcoachingwithKate.com/usssuper
It’s very important to always surround yourself with things that will keep you in a high, positive level of vibration so you feel strong, confident, proud, and safe. It’s even more important when you go somewhere new to you. Here are a few Success Tips for you:
- You only need 1 or 2 transition items. These items should only be associated with good feelings.
- Try to have at least one smaller item as it is easier to travel with.
- Always make a list of what you want to bring when attending (or speaking at) a workshop and include your “transition items”.
Please post below and let me know what your transition item is.
I love that idea Kate. And I do see it with my kids. I haven’t had a transition item, unless perhaps that makeup or special outfit or bag that makes me feel “Wow!” Would that count?
Debra, a special outfit or bag would be great. Some people use jewelry…whatever makes you feel great, special, confident…:)
I love this post Kate! I remember my brother had his little blankie, and I had my thumb! lol (clenching my teeth at age 12 put an end to that very quickly – and thank goodness!) And I see it often with folks on planes or who are going on a trip who take their favorite pillow they can’t do without. I heard Christiane Northrup and Mona-Lisa Schultz discuss recently on a CD, the importance of feeling rooted, grounded from the point of view of having a connection to home hearth, when you’re actually not at home, or living far away from your roots. They talked about creating familiar experiences that creating that rootedness. I see this in my community where (being South African /English) we tend to congregate together. I see this conversation as being very connected to this. A feeling of safeness and belonging and comfort. How very interesting. I’ll have to think about what I’d like to put on my desk, or take with me, as a source of comfort. 🙂
Louise x
Hi Kate,
That’s a great new take on our childhood attachments… I had a duck called Quackie and a belted Galloway bull called “Bully”; my daughter has her rag doll now 11 years old – “Baby Baby”.
Nowadays I have a beutiful rounded smooth crystal that I hold in my hand every night as I fall asleep – I an feel its pusation, reassuring me that the energy is as it should be.
Interesting idea Kate! I think my “lovey” is my phone these days, but I don’t think that’s what you meant, and I’m not entirely sure it’s a healthy obsession. Lol I do like the idea though! I’m going to look around my office. I bet I have things that would make great items to have with me when I go to networking events or speak on teleseminars for focus and grounding.
Hmmm… I haven’t really thought in terms of a transition item. I suppose for me, it’s my phone (like Laurie) and my books. I’m a huge reader, but these days, I’m listening more than reading. I have a lot of training audios on my phone and I listen to them in bed, when I’m in the car, and even when I’m in the tub! I also have a LOT of books and am always adding to them. (You can never have enough books, but Dad swears he’s not building me any more book cases. :)) Oh yes, and my laptop! (It’s ok that we have more than one transition item, right?)
Kate,
Good topic and suggestion here. I have to say that my transition item is my iPhone. The reason it that it holds the music, pictures, tools and games that soothe and inspires me oh and it is the phone that I connect with my family (text or call) when I am away.
As a business coach, I often prescribe extreme self care which includes such things as transition items.
The truth is that we all feel better when we have something familiar and of comfort with us…at all times 🙂
Interesting and provocative discussion. As many have mentioned, I hadn’t thought about a transitional object for myself when doing my workshops and seminars, but I always wear the same necklaces that my husband gave me oh so many years ago… They are probably the closest thing I have to that transitional object since I rarely take them off. They’re certainly easy enough to have with me and they do provide me with that sense of stability, though I hadn’t thought of it in those terms til now. Thanks for the connection.