A bit off topic, but a concept my mind has drifted to often lately…

Change. Just the word can stir up unease for many of us, myself included. I’ve never been someone who embraces change with open arms, rushing headlong into the unknown with excitement. Quite the opposite—I find myself needing time to process, to weigh and measure the present against the possible futures before I can step into the phase of acceptance and, eventually, action.

My life has been full of changes, some planned and celebrated, others entirely unexpected and unwelcome. Despite this, I can’t say I’ve ever found myself truly comfortable with change. It’s as though my mind must first wrestle with the concept, examining it from every angle, before I’m able to make peace with it.

There are, of course, the changes we choose: a new job, moving to a new city, embarking on a long-awaited adventure. These come with their own challenges but are often accompanied by the excitement of possibility. Then there are the other changes—the ones that feel like they happen to us, the ones that derail our carefully laid plans. Let’s face it: most difficult changes are not things we hoped for or worked toward.

When faced with these uninvited shifts, we often find ourselves standing at a crossroads—not of whether to accept the change itself, but in how we choose to handle it. This, I’ve learned, is where our true power lies. Will we resist, holding on tightly to the familiar even as it slips through our fingers? Will we allow ourselves to grieve what’s been lost while looking for small glimmers of hope in the new? Or will we embrace the change, however reluctantly, and trust that it might lead to growth we never anticipated?

I’ll be honest: I’m not one to immediately look for the silver lining. I’ve found it’s okay to sit with the discomfort of change for a while, to feel the sadness, the fear, even the frustration. Ignoring those emotions doesn’t make them go away. Instead, acknowledging them often helps me move through the process faster and with a greater sense of clarity.

The truth is, change is as inevitable as the sunrise. Life is a series of transitions, some subtle and some seismic. Even when we resist it, change has a way of nudging us—or pushing us—forward. And while I may never become someone who leaps into change with joy, I’ve come to respect it for what it is: an opportunity.

Not every change will feel like an improvement. Some may bring pain or loss that takes a long time to heal. But others, even those we resist at first, might surprise us. They might lead to new relationships, new adventures, or new versions of ourselves we hadn’t even imagined.

As I reflect on the changes I’ve faced—both the ones I chose and the ones I didn’t—I’m struck by the fact that, despite the struggle, each one has shaped me into the person I am today. I may not always like the process, but I can’t deny its power.

So, to anyone grappling with the uncertainty of change, I see you. It’s okay to feel hesitant, to take your time, to sit with the discomfort before stepping forward. And when you’re ready, know that even the most unwelcome changes have the potential to open doors to something new—something that might just surprise you.

Change may not be easy, but it’s a constant. And perhaps the greatest gift we can give ourselves is the grace to navigate it with as much courage, patience, and self-compassion as we can muster.