It sometimes seems as though our major life events that foster in change are always guided and inspired by the most taxing experiences. Think about it … childbirth, falling in love, death, heartbreak, new job … all these things require large amounts of energy, emotion and physiological fuel. That doesn’t mean they are all negative experiences; however, they are all experiences that create small (and sometimes) large shifts in how we view and take part in the world around us … in a word… change.

Do adversities challenge us to change?

These adversities force us into a period of retrospection, a shift in the understanding of where we are in that point in time and ultimately change. In terms of human growth, adversities and challenges in life have the potential to shift the boundaries of what we are capable of, or at least what we thought we were capable of. Essentially, these adversities, both positive and negative require us to take a good look at the current status quo and question us with ‘what if’s’ and ‘should I’ questions effectively challenging us to examine our past present and future.

Are we in the own way of our growth?

Change can be scary. While enforced change, in the form of tough experiences, is unavoidable, there are other times when the inner you is undeniably just calling out for something to shift, and the only obstacle preventing that transition is fear and well … sorry but you. So yes, whilst change might be a little scary it would be far worse to live an inauthentic and unfulfilled life.

As humans, we are conditioned to be fearful of the unknown— but we are also secretly drawn to it. That’s why when you reach that point in life where you start asking yourself, “when did I become like this?” we no longer remain afraid of the answer. We start to ask the existential questions that force us to confront the change, the very same questions that reject restricting ourselves to outgrown spaces and people. These types of questions are completely normal, almost every person on earth wonders how they got to where they did.  It’s the positive exploration of these questions that sustain our yearning for something more.

While remaining static has become a somewhat societal practice of human life, it is also universal knowledge that being human also harbours the inability to remain satisfied with any state for too long. Change is truly inevitable; the only thing we can do is look towards the promise of growth it brings with it.

Navigating change

Transitioning means shedding the comfort of what we know towards a greater beyond. Change doesn’t promise ease, but there are some things we can remain mindful of as not to lose sight of the purpose.

Surrender yourself: Change doesn't preach helplessness; rather, it asks that you surrender to it with the belief that you will come out of it different that when you went. Leaning into uncertainty can be frightening, but the unknown annihilates the realm of impossibility. Have courage.

Let yourself rest: Change can be exhausting. Allow yourself moments to just breathe. We remain in awe of the process of metamorphosis regardless of the length of time it demands; extend the same awe and courtesy to yourself.

Don’t feed into your fears: Fear is a construct designed to keep us from growth. A good method to move past your fears is to acknowledge them and explore which beliefs are strengthening them. Once you’re identified that, unknotting those beliefs will become more purposeful.

The process is infinite: Stepping out of one transitional phase of your life means stepping into the beginnings of another. Embrace and cherish everything you acquire as you watch the seasons of life change within and around you.

Offer yourself kindness: Our immediate response to a friend going through a tough phase is to extend the hand of support and offer some kindness. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be doing the same for ourselves as we embark on the mighty, but promising, waves of change.