Don't Fight Change, Adapt to It
Accept the thing you cannot change which is change itself.
Hello, and welcome to Reflections. I'm Sanuj, a physician. I write insightful posts about health, wealth, family and other interesting topics. If you're new here, you can learn more about Reflections in the about page. If you would like to read more, hit the subscribe button below to catch my weekly posts and join a growing list of readers around the globe.
You've all heard the phrase: change is the only constant. It is one of the inevitable truths of life. Imagine if the seasons never changed. We'd miss out on the joy of spring blooms, the warmth of summer sun, the cozy fall evenings, and the magical winter wonderlands. Change, much like the seasons, brings variety and vibrancy to our lives. Resisting it is like trying to keep autumn leaves from falling—it’s not only futile but also a bit exhausting.
Chameleons are nature’s quintessential adapters. They don’t complain about their surroundings; they blend in and make the most of it. What if we adopted a similar mindset?
Is Change Good?
As much as change can be a real pain, it can be a real blessing in disguise too. Think about it. When was the last time you resisted change, only to find yourself exhausted and stuck in the same old rut? It's like trying to hold back a tide - it's just not worth the struggle. The good side of change is that you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. New experiences, new connections, new opportunities - the list goes on!
Imagine graduating and leaving high school. It was a carefree life. You had no major responsibilities other than looking after yourself. Now you've got the chance to go out into the real world and create your own destiny.
It isn't easy but you start earning your own money. Trust me, it feels great to make your own buck. The change from a student to applying your skills to earn an income helps you and your future family. It inculcates a sense of responsibility. That's change in a good way.
Consider an addict (any kind) becoming a non addict. The craving is intense because the thing that causes addiction may give a temporary dopamine rush. It's difficult to let it go. The transition is tough and grinding. But the end result - good sleep, healthier body, peace of mind and probably greater productivity. That's again, a good change.
Getting a job is great. But even losing a job can propel a positive change. It might be the push needed to pursue a long-dormant passion. Recall the COVID and post COVID days. Many individuals turned their hobbies into an income source.
Here's another example - technology. Remember the first time you had to use a smartphone? It felt like learning a new language. Now, it’s hard to imagine life without one. Nearly every task for which you needed your laptop or PC earlier can now be handled by a smartphone. The latest in technological advances is artificial intelligence which has already created quite an impact.
Change is Never Easy
Our brains are wired to prefer the familiar, and venturing into the unknown can be daunting. But here's the thing: growth happens outside of our comfort zones. By adapting to change, we build resilience, develop new skills, and discover hidden strengths we never knew we had. If we cling too tightly to the “good old days”, it can blind us to the beauty of the present and the potential of the future.
Adapt to Change
Start by acknowledging that change is inevitable. To misquote Thanos,
Dread it, run from it, change still arrives.
Approach it with curiosity instead of fear. Ask yourself: what can I learn from this experience? How can I grow? What new doors might open?
When you see the change as a life experience, you begin to adapt to it. You understand that life in any form moves ahead through change. Cells in your body are dividing and changing every day. The older cells lose their function, die out and new cells are formed. A butterfly goes through a stage of metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a pupa and then to a beautiful butterfly. Babies become toddlers, grow older, become teenagers and then adults. All of this amazing transformation happens through change which are life experiences.
Remember, adapting to change doesn't mean you're surrendering control. It means you're choosing to evolve, to pivot, and to find new ways to thrive.
The Only Constant
Every change, no matter how disruptive it seems, carries an opportunity. Even small changes, like a new hobby or routine, can inject fresh energy into our lives.
Think of change as life’s way of nudging us out of complacency. It’s an invitation to grow, to explore, to reinvent. And yes, sometimes it’s downright scary. But often, the greatest rewards lie just beyond our fears.
Change might be the only constant in life, but our ability to adapt is what makes us unstoppable. So, go ahead - surf the waves of change, and watch your life transform in amazing ways.
Have you had a change that has had a significant impact in your life? And how have you been able to adapt to it? Let me know in the comments below.
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Thanks for reminding us that the power to make changes is in our hands 😊
While it can be daunting and challenging, change can stimulate growth and creativity and can enhance our quality of life. Thank you, Sanuj, for this is an important reminder! ✨💖✨