How to Roll With Changes
Well, we are officially moving towards the end of October. Before you know it, we will be swept up in the holidays and this year will come to a close.
That means change is in the air, wouldn’t you say?
And while I know change is a good thing, I can’t help but struggle with it each and every time it happens.
After being away for 4 months, I came back to NYC and decided it was time to make some big modifications.
My husband and I wanted more space and more quiet, so we shifted our living situation from being in the smack-dab center of NYC to something quieter and much more spacious. While it’s a change I have been craving for some time and I am loving our choice, I can’t help but feel a mixed range of emotions from excitement to sadness.
I find when change is in the air, I can get scared, negative and doubtful. Simply because I don’t know what is going to happen next.
And if I don’t tend carefully to my thoughts, things can quickly spiral out of control.
But my dearest, here is what I know about change.
Change of any kind takes some getting used to.
Change involves risk.
And, change is inevitable.
Some change feels really good. It’s exciting, exhilarating and even gives you something to look forward to.
But most changes will challenge you—emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically—to become a new version of yourself.
Whether we choose a change—like moving to a new city, ending a relationship, or even getting a haircut OR whether change is forced upon us, like being let go from a job, losing a loved one, or a change in health—change often feels uncomfortable.
Ultimately, change goes hand in hand with loss.
When change occurs, it means you are no longer standing on the same ground you once stood on. It means that things will be unfamiliar. It means that you will no longer be operating in the same way you once did.
When life is going really well, the promise of change can even feel threatening. And when things aren’t going so well, the promise of change can bring us a sense of hope and possibility.
But whether we like it or not, change will always and forever be happening.
(You would think because of this we would all be a little better at it!)
You see darling, the opposite of change is NOT comfort or familiarity. The opposite of change is stagnation. If we are not changing it means we are not moving. It probably means we are holding on to a sense of rigidity in our lives.
And if we hold on, life will surely push us to move, change, or break—whether we like it or not.
How To Roll With Changes
So, there is just one thing you need to remember.
You get to make a choice in how you deal with, look at, approach and think about change.
You always get to choose whether you fight it or embrace it. You get to choose whether you resist change or flow with it.
We can let change gracefully shape us, or we can stay brittle.
Change can help us deepen our resilience and grow new wings of confidence.
We can choose to connect to our faith and trust, letting it flow through until a newfound sense of freedom lifts us up—or we can close our eyes and pretend it’s not happening.
And while it’s certainly not easy, I for one am doing my very best to embrace all the changes that are coming my way, because I know I am much happier when I do.
So in the name of change, I have a special gift for you.
It’s a short workout that will tone your thighs and your core, while helping you to lengthen your entire body. But more importantly, I’m incorporating some mantras around change that I know are going to inspire you.
I would love to know how YOU feel about change. So leave a comment below.
Love,
Erin
When we don’t follow your advice and embrace change, that’s when we suffer one of tye worst changes: we grow old and grumpy – but that can be reversed, if we are prepared to change.
PS watching your video, Erin, reminded me of those speeded up films of flowers opening in the sunshine.
What a lovely perspective. Thank you, Steve:)
Dear Erin, In my head we are GREAT friends and you speak words of encouragement and wisdom JUST when I seem to need them the most. I am LOVING this post about change. I have ALWAYS been afraid of change; you have given me a new way of embracing, accepting and facing change head on to “grow my new wings of confidence”. THANK YOU for your open, transparent posts. You are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing your post in my email.
PS- I plan to use this in my next staff meeting! AWESOMENESS.
That is certainly the best kind of compliment a girl could get. Thank you and love to you! xo
I am ready for my change and willing to take the risk on my new career path. I need to work on flowing with change and not being afraid of loss. Knowing something will be lost is stuck in my head. But you (I agree with Rhonda we are friends and my inspiration)help guide me when I feel I cant try or just want to stay “safe”. I am ready to push myself to better things, more happiness and fulfillment. I will need your parachute when I jump and your teachings are it!!!! Thanks for the new free workout!!!! Awesome I will be doing it later today!!!!
An Italian poet wrote once: “Until death I will be full of beginnings” and this is what I am striving for. I want to change the image I have of myself, so that of the world as a whole, I want to embrace self confidence and inner love and love and stil more love for the people around me and the world around us. Thanks for reminding me how important this is. If you want you can read what I wrote once :-): http://www.byebyesalsiccia.com/until-death-i-will-be-full-of-beginnings/ xxx Fabiana
I like Fabian’s comment and the Italian poet plus Stieve’s comment. Both say it better than I can. Fran
Thank you for your blog on Change today. I have some changes coming forth that feel big to me, and a bit unnerving. My son and I were talking last night about the meaning of “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. – Neale Donald Walsch” Your blog goes hand-in-hand with this, and I just wanted to say thank you for the push to embrace change. I need to squash the what-ifs and go forth boldly.
This is awesome!!! Thank you, Erin! What a beautiful post and I LOVED the workout! Change is always something that challenges me. I’ve gotten better at facing the fear head on, but I can’t help but get little butterflies every time it comes up. It’s nice to be reminded that this happens to everyone and that I’m not alone. THANK YOU.
I used to itch for change. I used to need it as a way of escaping and avoiding commitment. Granted I was super young, but now I am anxious about change that requires resilience and perseverance. I also feel like I’ve been trying to let go of old habits, but what that means is also scary, like admitting what I was doing before and rejecting it makes me feel ashamed. I want to embrace new habits that lift me up. I want to love the body I have into shape and wellness, not force it or be forced by outside circumstances. Thanks for making us think about it! Perfect timing, as usual 🙂
I’m actually about to embark on a new change of life, and frankly I’m terrified. I was a stay at home mom for 15 years, and then we moved from NY to TN. That change wasn’t so bad for me because I had always wanted to move to TN. I went to nursing school when my youngest was 2 years old so I can have a good job when he was in school, but finding one that fit kids hours was tough. I just landed a job where the hours are 5am to 2pm, with potential for overtime. I would have to get up at 3 am to get there on time. I’ve become unsure of my decision because my role of “mom” is changing. I feel I won’t be around, and when I am, I’ll be exhausted. I’M scared I made a bad choice because my whole life will change and I’m a very routine type of person.
I love your mantras and inspirations so much! You inspire me to be great and take care of numero uno!!!!
Embracing change may be difficult, but it is much less exhausting then fighting it!
This time of year always calls for change… change of season makes it feel natural. Yet change is scary too… as you said there’s also a sense of loss. Thank you for your encouragement, inspiration and energy! And for your great work out! You’re awesome! ?
Hi Erin! Thank you for your e-mail about change. It was a reminder of all I needed to hear today, as it has been one of those days I am not fully enjoying all that has changed recently for me and my family and all that is going t be changing. Ive always said Change is not always good, but with how you allow it to mold you can help to make things great! Often when things change we can fight against it, but just like the season it is outside it’s coming weather we are prepared or aware at all, and that is why often it is hard to roll with. However, we can’t make it stop snowing because we want the sun to shine, or blow away the storm because we are over it, so we might as well pull up our rain boots, yank on a hat and go splash in the puddles :0)
I agree whole heartedly! Xo
I love these mantras, and how the movements just flow! Such a good reminder about change, and perfect timing! I want to post these mantras on my computer, my phone – so they are always with me and I am reminded often about this perspective. Thanks so much for this lovely workout! 🙂