Change Isn't the Enemy – How to Navigate Change for Personal Growth

Last week, I caught up with an old friend over the phone. He was telling me about a new job opportunity – new city, new company, new responsibilities. Basically, a full-blown new life chapter was about to begin.

And while there was excitement and pride in securing the role, there was also a lot of anxiety.

"Nobody likes change!" he proudly proclaimed. I laughed, but I didn't fully agree.

Yes, change can be uncomfortable. Even small shifts can sometimes rattle our nervous systems or take a physical toll. I always joke that we all need at least a month in a new job before our body catches up to its new reality, and we can muster the strength to be social again.

But somewhere along the line, we've turned change-bashing into a sort of social pastime. Like bad weather or how busy we are – it's become a conversation started or relatable, community-shared groan.

"Ugh don't you hate how they're changing this again?! Almost as much as I hated driving in the rain this morning. Crazy, right?!"

But here's the thing: we are navigating change constantly. And most of us are doing it better than we give ourselves credit. In fact, we'd likely be bored out of our minds if everything stayed the same.

So maybe it's time for a little collective reframe.

Rewriting Our Relationship with Change

Change isn't the villain in our story; it's the plot twist. The turning point. The thing that turns everyday monotony into a story worth telling.

It's also a guaranteed ticket to growth.

Research shows that people who embrace change tend to be more resilient and more innovative. They're not superhuman – they've simply gotten better at riding the waves of change instead of pretending the tide doesn't effect them.

According to studies on personal development, over 70% of individuals who actively pursue growth report feeling more prepared to handle life's curveballs.

So what could it look like to actually embrace change without losing your mind in the process?

Real Talk: Tips for Embracing Change

1. Acknowledge the Feels

   1. Just in case you were being hard on yourself, you are allowed to be overwhelmed. Change is a weird thing, even when it's good, and it can prompt our brains and nervous systems to switch on survival mode just to be safe. So instead of stuffing your emotions in the "these aren't really happening" or "I'll deal with you later" boxes, try to talk them out with someone you trust or journal through them. Not a whine-fest! Just acknowledging them, so you can move through them. Which leads me to...

2. Reframe the Narrative

   1. Words matter – in everything we do. So instead of spiraling into "I'm not ready," or "This is too much for me," try "I'm learning as I go" or "I will figure this out one step at a time." By shifting the language in this way, we change our outlook from powerless victimhood to courageous empowerment.

3. Break It Down

   1. Big changes often feel less terrifying when you slice them into bite-sized pieces, much like a big corporate goal that needs monthly and even weekly deliverables to achieve. When moving to a new city and need to reestablish a social network, try to find a cafe or gym that you really like first. Then ask a barista or trainer for recommendations. Baby steps toward progress!

4. Build a Support System

   1. Life wasn't meant to be lived alone, regardless of what your addiction to doomscrolling may try to convince you. Friends, mentors, coaches – they're all lifelines when you're navigating new terrain. All you have to do is reach out and ask. You won't have a 100% success rate, but you'll eventually find those people who respond to change in your life with "you've got this" and "I'm rooting for you." I can tell you firsthand, they make all the difference.

5. Practice the Art of Bouncing Back

   1. Resilience isn't about never failing or falling down. It's about deciding to get back up over and over again – with a dash more insight each time, of course. Take a look back at your life and the countless examples you have of overcoming difficulty, obstacles, change, and struggle. Reflect on the strength and courage you showed during those times, and all that you learned from them. You carry all of that with you today.

Finding Joy in the Change

Uncertainty and unfamiliar can be a lot to handle, especially given how our body's natural respond to them. But they're also full of potential.

Think about the last time that you tried something completely new and allowed yourself to be open to the experience. Maybe it was a new recipe that proved incredibly delicious (marry me chicken, anyone?), or a new yoga class that felt especially invigorating, or even a new author that evoked emotions you didn't even know you had anymore.

There is something almost magical about stepping into the unknown with an open mind and allowing the experience to simply be. To allow ourselves to release control and to accept what is.

The fact is that the more we practice change with intention and purpose, the easier change becomes.

Because change doesn't have to feel like a threat – it can instead feel like an exciting plot twist.

Final Thoughts

Every great story includes transformation. Not because the hero had all the answers from the start, but because they said yes and grew from the experience.

So if change is knocking at your door, please don't try to ignore it.

You're not broken, incapable, or unworthy.

The fact is a bolder, wiser, stronger version of you awaits on the other side.

So here's to change...and all the beautiful magic that it brings to life.

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If you're struggling to navigate change and would like support along the journey, I'd love to connect with you and talk about how I can help. Schedule your first coaching session today!