on change

The ironic axiom of life: the only constant is change.

The efficient machines our brains are dislike this fact; as the single most calorie hungry organ you have, your brain is always looking for consistency and repeated patterns to help conserve energy. This is why breaking habits is hard - you have literal pathways in your brain that are formed when we do the same thing, interact with the same people, or see the same places. When those things, people, and places change, we can experience discomfort, confusion, and even pain.

But resisting change is an exercise in futility; look around you. Everything about the earth changes, whether minute by minute, hour by hour, season by season, or decades over time. We are a part of this earth and therefore not exempt either. Learning to lean into change and pay attention is one of the most important lessons you can learn.

I’m on the verge of a large change myself; I’m in the process of finding a property to buy. In the time that I have left living in my current apartment, I plan to really pay attention to the change I can see from my balcony. The view, featured in this post’s thumbnail, is expansive; over the last few years I have watched and documented the shifting light, the passing clouds, and the changing seasons as illustrated by the trees in the valley floor below me.

I believe that if you can stop fighting the fear of things changing, you can stay mindful of what is passing by and be grateful. It’s a beautiful world we live in, populated with myriad amazing people.

What’s an area of your life in which change is especially hard for you? Can you get curious around why? What’s some reassurance you can give to yourself on that topic?

As a postscript for this piece: I am going to amend my publishing schedule from biweekly to weekly; you will find all new posts available on Wednesdays.

Until next week, be well, beautiful people.