“If you do not create change, change will create you.” ~Unknown
We are often resistant to change, and we don’t realize that change itself is constant.
Even if you resist or avoid it, it will enter your life just the same. When you initiate the change yourself, it’s pretty easy to adapt to it, since it’s a wanted one.
But are the unplanned and unexpected changes bad? What if all changes were good by default?
I have been embracing change since a young age. During my life I have lived in five countries and in over twenty-five apartments, changed five schools and about five different careers.
At first it is a bit difficult and annoying, but after a while you get used to the change so much that if it doesn’t come for a while, you end up moving the furniture at home in order to feel something changing.
Changes connected with moving from country to country impacted my personality. Thanks to them I became more flexible and open-minded. Now I understand cultural differences and appreciate diversity.
Each of the career shifts brought knowledge and new experiences. As a result, apart from the professional experience I learned how to resolve conflicts with difficult colleagues and how to work with unbearable bosses.
Career related changes brought self-confidence. All those changes led me to the realization of what I wanted to do with my life.
The biggest change in life occured when I got married. The change brought love, peace, and comfort into my life. As a result, a new me was born—me being a wife, mother, and happy woman.
Finally, the big change I initiated by quitting a good job and embracing the passion of writing made me truly happy and satisfied.
In general, when looking back, I realize that all the good things in my life are the results of changes that occurred in the past.
People usually avoid changes and prefer to stay in their comfort zones, but I am true believer that once you get the courage and take the first step to change, your life will become much better.
Below are just few benefits of change:
1. Personal growth
You grow and learn new things every time something changes. You discover new insights about diffferent aspects of your life. You learn lessons even from changes that did not lead you to where you wanted to be.
2. Flexibility
Frequent changes make you easily adapt to new situations, new environments, and new people. As a result you do not freak out when something unexpectedly shifts.
3. Improvements
We all have things in our lives we’d like to improve—finances, job, partner, house, etc. All of us know that nothing will improve by itself. We need to do things differently to make that happen. Without change, there’d be no improvements.
4. Life values
From time to time changes make you re-evaluate your life and look at certain things from a different perspective. Depending on what the change is, it may also reinforce your life values.
5. The Snowball effect
Often we give up because we cannot accomplish the difficult task of making a huge and immediate change. That is when small changes become extremely valuable. One shift at a time, small changes will eventually lead you to the desired big one.
6. Strength
Not all changes lead you to pleasant periods of life. Unfortunately we do not live in fairy tale and sad things happen, too. Overcoming the tough period will make you stronger.
7. Progress
Changes trigger progress. Things move forward and develop because of the them.
8. Opportunities
One never knows what each change may bring. When you turn from your usual path there will be plenty of different opportunities waiting for you. Changes will bring new choices for happiness and fulfillment.
9. New beginnings
Each change is a turning page. It is about closing one chapter and opening another one. Changes bring new beginnings and excitement to life.
10. Routine
Remember the movie Stranger than Fiction? The main character Harold Crick does the same things in exactly same time for years. He leads a completely dull, extremely predictable, and uninteresting life. That is how your life would be without changes.
So next time you get the temptation to avoid or resist the change, aim instead to initiate the ones that will lead you to where you want be.
And remember—if there were no change, there would be no butterflies!
Old way, new way image via Shutterstock
About Ani Alexander
Ani Alexander has left her 10+-year career and is transforming her writings from hobby to profession. Her Blog is about how to increase possibilities of fulfilled, happy, successful life. Ani is also the bestselling author of Emotional Moments, a book of short stories about life.
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
What a wonderful challenge for all of us. Yes, change can be scarey but when you put down the benefits it makes me want to shake things up and go for some change. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are wecome Jane!
Too many people are afraid of change in stead of embracing it like you suggest. Change should not be your biggest fear. It should be boredom! Harold Crick’s life was unimaginative, boring and oh so predictable!
Where is the excitement in already knowing exactly how your entire week will pan out before you even get out of bed. You gotta shake things up!
Get out of those comfort zones and LIVE!
Exactly! I am true believer in this whole concept.
Change can be scary. But that’s okay! I think the “fear of the fear” is what prevents many of us from embracing change. It’s natural and normal to be anxious about change. Embrace the fear, hug it to your chest . . . and make the change anyway.
Very cool last line, Ani. You know, as the world seems to speed up with all the technology and fewer travel restrictions change is becoming more and more the norm. You obviously grew up with a lot more change than many people but years ago, change was so much slower for most people.
Sometimes, when I think about how common “change” has become I wonder if we should even “change” the word! It has this sort of scary connotation to it. Change is just life, isn’t it? Like the Eskimos have some 20 words for snow, maybe we should have another word for change to indicate how absolutely normal much of our changes are!
We would lose some of the fear? And maybe more easily see all those benefits you listed? Just wondering! 😉
One of the most valuable things I have learnt about change is to learn how to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable because change happens outside the comfort zone and that feels uncomfortable. Once we learn to be OK with feelings of discomfort we can achieve wonderful things.
”fear of the fear” – I like that expression.
Change is scary but it happens to you anyway so no choice there 🙂
Interesting thoughts Carmelo!
Yes Ali, that’s true. I guess that’s what happened to me at some stage. I had so many changes in my life that I started viewing change as norm and had no discomfort connected to it anymore.
I’m going through some big changes myself, and keeping all of these in mind is what’s keeping me sane! Yes, it’s hard, but like you said there are so many benefits. So I’m trying to embrace ’em and be flexible. Thanks for reminding us all that change is a good thing. =)
My life has been similar to yours from an early age, without changing countries…that’s a whole other level of change! I totally agree with the need to accept it and embrace it as a learning experience you can grow from.
My husband and I have had many changes due to his career, only to have his company pretty much screw him out of most of his pension and change our future a lot. Even in that experience, when I hated them with every fiber of my being, I had to ultimately be thankful for the places we moved and the people we met that would never have happened without the evil company.
Change is what you make of it. What you ultimately need to focus on is growth and know you can only grow so much in one place or circumstance.
Thanks! I needed to read and think about this at this very moment. Such is the way here at Tiny Buddha.
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Hi Kaylee,
I hope that the big changes you are going through these days will bring positive outcomes.
Barbara,
Working for corporations has both positive and negative sides. Don’t sepend your time and energy thinking of what has happened and focusing on the negative, because it will only spoil your mood.
Try to understand what you want from now on and think about how to get there 🙂
Hi Ani – I really enjoyed this post! I think too often people step back from change and what it may bring – whereas it liberates us on so many levels (as you’ve shown above) and we realise how much more we still have to learn about ourselves, what motivates and drives us and how we can give back to the community at large
Hi Zivana 🙂 It’s a shame that so many things hold us back from changes, because most of them bring so much into our lives.
Thanks for your post. I am facing a potentially major change and all perspectives are helpful.
Lisa wish you easy transition 🙂
Eight years ago I faced many changes (all at the same time) and I knew I was at an extremely low point in my life. The only thing that remained constant was my $40,000 a year job. I realized that too was causing me great grief, I was unhappy and needed yet another change; in my career. I moved, am back in college, and look forward to what new lesson I will learn today! Often times I meet people that are so unhappy with their lives, yet do nothing to change circumstances. Looking back, I am glad to have traveled in my shoes…through the good times and the bad.
Life is a journey, not a destination.
You can be prioud of yourself 🙂 Ony few have the courage to change things when they are unhappy, most usually only complain and do nothing.
“If there were no change, there would be no butterflies!”
Oh butterflies, how I miss you so!
I thought you were planning a big change ahead, no?
Ani, such a great article. thanks for sharing!
Good points on change Ani – you’ve made a good case for it. Although change is often scary, brings uncertainty and may turn our worlds upside down, there are a lot of positives which you describe associated to change. I like the snowball effect concept. I think of a similar analogy sometimes – it feels like we are moving back several steps when pursuing a goal or dream. But sometimes we have to go backwards before going forward! Several steps backward will help us take one giant leap forward.
Good points on change Ani – you’ve made a good case for it. Although
change is often scary, brings uncertainty and may turn our worlds upside
down, there are a lot of positives which you describe associated to
change. I like the snowball effect concept. I think of a similar analogy
sometimes – it feels like we are moving back several steps when
pursuing a goal or dream. But sometimes we have to go backwards before
going forward! Several steps backward will help us take one giant leap
forward.
Ani, You have positive and productive attitudes about change. And they have obviously paid off for you. In a recent research project I was involved in, I interviewed many young adults who agreed that getting out of their comfort zones was what propelled them to new heights. Sounds like you would agree! Great article!
Thanx Marilyn! Interesting insight.
Interesting approech Vishnu. I never thought about the part of going backwards, but it definitiely makes senese:)
thanx for commenting 🙂
All of these points are important but the snowball effect and strength are big ones. Often we don’t see that, lkike the moth, we are evolving little by little and yes, we do,as you mentioned, need to pat ourselves on the back for this. Life is full of positive change and how you look at it is a big key in what you pull out of it. But sometimes, life gives us very difficult times and it is the strength that we can draw from ourselves that we learn to grow even faster than if we were transforming in our cacooon into a butterfly. I am working on an article, based on an intensive I did at Univ, that talks about transformation. Parallel/a synonym of change. We all, like Harold Crick, need to step out of our cacoon to grow and spread our wings (it’s a cliche for a reason 😉 I have learned that from the many changes and moves I have made. Strength and belief in yourself is so powerful. Thank you for this, Ani.
Hi Ani,
I really like your post very helpful. Sometimes discovering your purpose becomes a catalyst for change, and change is not always easy. You often have to be willing to experience temporary discomfort as you build the life of your dreams. Discovering your purpose will give you a lifetime joy and enthusiasm.
Thanks for great tips. I try to do something NEW each day. This way it helps me grow, be wiser, and more mature.
hi
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we oh change
how why how why do
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hi
ok
ok first i have to oh my gosh u are peaking
yes
why do we cange
im still learning why do we change
hiya um yea
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playing movie star planet
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
i san and mad
i am sad and mad