The Benefits and Drawbacks of Change

The Inevitable Force: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Change

Change, death, and taxes are the constants in life we can rely on. We need to treat it positively as a friend, as it brings new, exciting opportunities.

Forty years ago, mobile phones were very new; today, we have smartphones with more computing power than the computers that put a man on the moon.

Whether we welcome change or resist it, understand it or fear it, change is always occurring in our bodies, our relationships, our jobs, and the world around us.

Sometimes change arrives gradually and beautifully, like a sunrise. Other times, it crashes in suddenly, like a storm, leaving us disoriented and feeling out of control.

If change is inevitable, then learning to navigate it is essential. Let's take an honest look at what change offers us and what it takes away.

The Benefits of Change

1. Growth and Evolution

Without change, there is no growth. Whether it's personal development, healing from past wounds, or learning new skills, change is the fuel that moves us forward.

• We evolve through challenge.

• We discover our strengths.

• We find out who we are beyond the familiar.

Change forces us to shed outdated versions of ourselves and step into something new, even when we're not ready.

2. Fresh Opportunities

Every change, even the uncomfortable kind, contains a seed of opportunity. A breakup might lead to a deeper understanding of your needs. A job loss might push you to pursue a passion. Moving to a new city may open up a new world.

Change opens doors we might never have knocked on voluntarily. Check out my blog on 'The Reticular Activating System'. Have you ever wondered why you notice things?

3. Increased Resilience

The more we move through change, the more flexible and adaptive we become. Resilience isn't built in ease; it's built in uncertainty.

Each time you survive a life shift, you prove to yourself that you can handle more than you thought.

4. Breaking Stagnation

Routines are comforting, but they can also become cages. Change, especially the unexpected kind, can shake us out of autopilot and remind us to live with intention.

It disrupts the ordinary and invites the extraordinary.

The Drawbacks of Change

1. Loss of Comfort and Control

Change often feels like chaos because it disrupts our illusion of control.

Familiarity is comforting, even if it's unhealthy. When things change, we're thrown into the unknown, which can trigger fear and anxiety.

We grieve not only people or places, but also the stability they represented. My blog 'How to find a job after Redundancy' explores this in more detail, highlighting how we often identify by our job title.

2. Emotional Turbulence

Change can bring emotional waves: grief, confusion, self-doubt. Transitions often surface unprocessed feelings or force us to question long-held beliefs.

Even positive changes—like getting married or starting a new job can bring stress, pressure, and identity shifts.

3. Risk of Failure or Setback

With change comes risk. Not every decision leads to success. Not every transformation is easy. Change can mean starting over, making mistakes, or facing rejection.

It's a gamble, and the fear of losing can make people stay stuck.

4. Uncertainty and Instability

Some changes don't just rock the boat; they capsize it. Sudden illness, unexpected loss, and global crises can leave people feeling like they are uncontrollably drifting at sea.

When change strips away foundational aspects of life, the rebuilding can be long and painful.

So, How Do We Live With Change?

We can't stop change, but we can change how we relate to it. Here are a few mindsets that help:

• Acceptance over resistance: Fighting change drains energy. Accepting it opens up choices.

• Curiosity over fear: Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" try asking, "What might this be teaching me?"

• Fluidity over rigidity: Be like water. Adapt, bend, flow. Rigidity breaks. Flexibility transforms.

• Hope over despair: Even painful change can be a path to deeper meaning, connection, or healing.

Final Thoughts: Change is a Life Partner

You don't have to love change. But you do have to live with it. And the better your relationship with change, the more empowered your life becomes.

Change is the artist. You are the canvas. Change is the river. You are the boat.
Change is the teacher. You are the student.

You don't need to control the current; you need to learn how to navigate it.

And sometimes, if you're brave enough to ride the wave, you'll find that change didn't break you at all; it broke you open.

How many people are now grateful they lost their tedious job, and changed partners in a relationship? Frequently, they agree that life is better now, and they are happier!