1. Personalization. Are you at fault? Studies show that getting past personalization can actually make you stronger. Not taking failures personally allows us to recover—and even to thrive.
2. Pervasiveness. Will this setback spread to all aspects of your life or is it more finite? Your whole life probably isn’t falling apart simultaneously. There is some hope.
3. Permanence. Will this last forever? Someone’s passing is permanent, but your feelings at this moment don’t have to be.
So, if you’re struggling through your “messy middle” of a transition, don’t forget to ask these three questions. And, just remember, you don’t have to do this alone.