So tell me about change. I’ve been thinking about change a lot recently, as my own life is about to change A LOT very soon. I’m moving to the Bay Area, hoping to find a full-time job in writing/publishing, like, two days ago. As a kid, I HATED change. God forbid my mother ever move the furniture around in our home . . .
It’s funny, looking back, as I’ve come to see I actually thrive with change. I can’t tell you how much I grew as a person when, at 18, I went 3,000 miles from home for college, or again at 25 when I moved to Taiwan. Big change equals big growth.
But a lot of people hate change. Change can be scary, no doubt. And so I want to know: How do you feel about change?
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Change, I’ve thrived on it most of my life. However when it involves aging it sux, big time. After you reach a certain age it becomes very apparent that your relevance to anything becomes less and less. For the most part people are cordial and polite in social settings but that’s where it ends. I was probably as dismissive and condescending when I was young so I’m not complaining it’s just a fact of life.
Yes, aging can be hard. It’s funny because, when we’re young, we just want to fast-forward everything, and then as we age, we just want everything to slow down. I don’t keep in touch with most stuff the “young crowd” cares about these days. Today is actually my 30th birthday, but in many ways I could really be much older! Thank you for your thought-provoking comment… Also, you are never irrelevant. The young and old and everyone in between make up this thing we call life. I’m sorry you have been made to feel that way.
As a kid, I too hated change because I liked the comfort of familiarity. As a seventh grader I had to change my school and had difficulties in making new friends and adapting myself to the new environment. Me being an introvert didn’t help one bit.
I’ve grown up now. (at least in height). :P I still hate change. I still have difficulties in coming out of my comfort zone. I guess I get too set in may ways. I know that change is a good thing though.
P.S. – Wish you all the best with your full time job…. :)
Change is good because it makes us grow, but it certainly isn’t always easy. One friend mentioned that they like change when it is a change they are in control of. Change imposed by others, though, is a totally different thing.
Thanks, Allwin! And I’m so sorry I’m so behind on reading your posts! This has been a very busy week for me. I enter my thirties today!
You don’t have to be sorry Jess. :) You are not behind. I’ve hardly posted anything in a few weeks!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday. :)
And did you get my mail?
I did! I’m behind on that, too!!!!
I love change when it happens, but the idea can be scary!
Yes, change can be scary. Absolutely. And it’s definitely not always easy. But it’s part of life; might as well go with the flow!
Hello, fellow blogger! A peaceful day to you!
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Nicci
“Without change something inside us sleeps” (paul atreides)
*That* is a great quote, John!
Dune, great story.
I will check it out.
Change is good, but only when it has meaning. Everyone needs both some routine/constant in life, but the only way to grow & understand life/yourself is to pursue great change… You see to have a great perspective on change, and it should be scary (some fear match with equal excitement), I believe it needs to happen in life :-)
Change is inevitable in some form or another. I too believe we need change that has meaning… And you’re right that to grow with change is a choice. Growth really is a matter of perspective.
Asia taught me that.
I started fifth grade in what was my fourth city and school. My dad moved us around a lot before we settled down and it drove me crazy starting over every two years with new friends, etc. Yet looking back it also made it easier for me to make friends, to be more open and personable, and more flexible. While I enjoy stability and routine the times when I grow the most and am challenged in life are those times involving change.
PS: I was going to make a crack about spare change in my pocket when I saw you included an option in your poll. Yeah, I was the smart-aleck who selected “I could spare some.” :)
Haha. I wondered who that was, Jeff. To be honest, I wouldn’t have thought of it except I’d already posted this question on facebook and someone had come up with that response. ;)
I was in one place my whole life until college. I chose to go far away on purpose. I guess it was just me. I needed that change. I’m glad you were able to make friends in the various places you went, and that that taught you flexibility. Not all kids who grow up that way end up with the same perspective.
“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Probably no surprise to you Jess, I embrace change & challenges with a smile. I too have learned that I thrive in the unexpected, wanting to tinker with how I’ll respond and how those around me respond. Thoroughly enjoy it!
Whatever it is you’re about to embark on, you will be and do just fine! :-)
Thanks, Professor. And you’re right, that’s not a surprise at all. It’s a good thing that you thrive in the unexpected, too, because life is *full* of it!!
Change is life. It’s unavoidable. Agree with you there we thrive as people as we go through change. We learn so much from uncontrollable situations and the unexpected. Best part of it, it can never be boring.
I’ve always welcomed change for this reason. The only thing that I don’t like about change is that sometimes it can be overwhelming. As one who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, I can’t let myself get too “wrapped up” in change and basically fall apart. Usually I keep a constant around available, like a phone call to a friend or my favourite toy monkey. Good luck with the move and the job hunt, I know you will come out on tops, as always, Jess :)
Thank you, Mabel. You seem to have a good perspective on change. It’s really unavoidable in life, so keeping your “constants” around is a great idea!! I have my constants, too — running and riding my bike. And my dad and my blog. :)
I feel completely energized just hearing about your impending change of scene. Bay Area! I want to hear about it step by step!
Thanks, Terri. It is going to be expensive!! :(
Change – I see God reads ur old Blogs = rain is change
You know the weather report here, Hoss? Yes, it’s raining – thank God…
Good to hear from you, too –
I don’t feel the sun’s coming out today
It’s staying in… It’s gonna find another way(yeah)
As I sit here in this misery I don’t
Think I’ll ever See the sun from here
And oh as I fade away
They’ll all look at me and say, and they’ll say,
Hey, look at him I’ll never live that way
But that’s ok,
They’re just afraid to change
And when you feel life ain’t worth living
You’ve got to stand up, and
take a look around, then you look up way to the sky
And when your deepest thoughts are broken,
( From: http://www.elyrics.net )
Keep on dreamin’ boy, ’cause when you stop dreamin’ it’s time to die
And as we all play parts of tomorrow
Some ways we’ll work, and other ways we’ll play
But I know we can’t all stay here forever
So I will write my words on the face of today…
And they’ll paint it
And oh As I fade away
They’ll all look at me and say, and they’ll say
Hey look at him, and where he is these days
When life is hard you have to change
When life is hard you have to change
BLIND MELON
Change
love –
p.s. You’re up late!!
Good luck with your move. Change at the outset is terrifying but the growth we can achieve in the end is worth it. Looking back at a life with some change adds to our experience remaining stagnant life would just fly by and for me I’d have regret because I did not attempt some change in life. Btw, I love the Blind Melon lyrics from the other blogger. One of my favourite bands, you should check out the song if you are not familiar with it. All the best and best of luck.
I fully agree with you, Mark. To be honest, I think it’s a shame that the majority of people spend the majority of their lives in the same place, or at least within a certain proximity. I have gained the most perspective in the times I’ve gone the furthest from home — and stayed there.
I think they’re great lyrics, too. I will look up the song right now. Love your work, by the way!!
Hi Jessica, thanks for the compliment regarding my work, it means a lot. Hopefully you’ll like the song? It was a tragic ending for the singer several years ago but the music will always live on. Speak to you soon
Why is it that musical artists (and other artists) so often have such tragic ends? Your work is amazing. Always nice speaking with you. :)
I find change to be invigorating. If I’m stuck in a rut, feel a block, or just run down with the way things are, change provides a new fresh perspective. In the way that a change of perspective can be healthy and open new doors….sometimes moving a room around is the right amount of change to inspire greater changes, and make them more manageable or positive. I look forward to those smaller types of changes.
That’s a really great perspective on it. I agree. Sometimes change can be uncomfortable, but it IS good. And you’re right that both big and small changes can be healthy. I probably need to focus more on small changes in my own life. ;)