Why does change get a bad rap?
Our cells are dying and being replaced continuously. I think the skin on your pinky finger will completely slough off by the time you finish reading this post. Okay, I admit, I just made that metric up and this post isn’t THAT long. But generally speaking, we’re always changing, right?
David Eagleman, a neuroscientist who teaches at Stanford, says our brains are constantly rewiring. For example, we are powerfully influenced by the five people that we spend the most time with.
Speaking for myself, I think change makes me uncomfortable for two reasons. First, because we aren’t in charge of many changes we face and secondly because change involves adjusting our self-image. Cognitive scientist, Maya Shankar said, “We don’t like change because it almost definitionally involves a loss of identity and that’s very destabilizing. I think we humans we often attach ourselves to specific identifies as we move through the world because it gives us a sense of security.”
And yet, what if there is one change we could make that would truly change our lives for the better? I’m not suggesting that my one change would be the same as your one change…but just that there might just be one change that could substantially shift everything else.
Maybe it’s adopting a different eating strategy from Cristiana
Undertaking sacred journeys like Parisa
The secret seems to be continuing to seek out the changes we choose and learning how to be resilient with the ones we don’t. Like the hint from my recent tea bag message.
In two weeks, Dr. Vicki Atkinson and I are taking on a new challenge by teaching a free workshop with our friends at RevelEleven about Cultivating Resilience Through Creativity on 1/31 at 9am Pacific time. We’d love for you to join us. Because we resonate with the Revel Eleven question – “What if one small thing — a story, a conversation, a person, an adventure — could change your life for the better?”
I’ve published a related post on my personal blog: About Me
Please check out these other items of interest:
More about Wynne Leon and her story-telling journey
Workshop about creativity jump start that I delivered with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
Speaking and workshops on leadership through creativity to build resilient teams
Podcast about the how and why of creativity
Articles and corporate creativity resources
Corporate evaluate your team needs for creativity
Individual creativity survey for individuals
My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
(featured photo from Pexels)
The thing is about change is we often can’t know in advance if it will change our life or trajectory for the better. I think you’ve nailed it when you say we should be open to change and aim for resilience when things don’t go as well as we’d hoped. Another big congrats on the workshop!!
Well said, Erin! Thank you, my friend!
Oh…I love this, wisdom from fellow writers and from an inspirational tea bag. Too perfect! And now I have David Bowie’s “Changes” joining me for the morning soundtrack in my head! Yay! 🥰
Not a bad soundtrack, right? 🙂 And tea bags count! 🙂
🥰❤️🥰love it!
This post really resonated with me, especially the part about how change is inextricably linked to our self-image and sense of identity. It’s fascinating, and a bit daunting, to think that embracing a single change could significantly alter the course of our lives. The idea that we can actively choose some changes and learn to be resilient in the face of involuntary ones is empowering. The upcoming workshop on Cultivating Resilience Through Creativity sounds like a fantastic opportunity to explore these concepts. Thank you for sharing this insight!
Thank you, Shayan. I appreciate you reading and your insightful comments!
I like change. Personally, I’ve stopped dying my hair, and let it go grey. I’ve cut them extra short and reverted to their curly look. Many people who have seen me after 8-9 months have to take a second look before recognizing me.
I love this, Sadje! What a refreshing change. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure. Yes it was a good decision that liberated me from so many expenses and self imposed obligations
Sometimes you have to accept the change and trust in the outcome. That’s hard for those of us who like to question everything. I’m looking forward to joining your upcoming session. The topic is intriguing.
P.S. Thanks for linking to my post. 🤗
Trust in the outcome — so good, Michelle! Thanks for signing up for our session. We look forward to seeing you there!
Beautiful post with a beautiful title that reminds me one of my favorite songs from one fantastic artist, David Bowie! I find changes in the workplace as a positive boost because I tend to get bored after a certain number of years. Once that I realize that I am not learning anything new, I would need a change. It’s a pity that I won’t be able to participate in the workshop, I will be busy all day long with one of my project. Will you record it? Well, first of all, I should ask if it will an online workshop…
Ah, yes – a cure for boredom. Good point, Cristiana. Yes, I believe that RevelEleven records all their sessions and then they can be seen on YouTube.
I had a look at their website, it’s very interesting!
Ah, thank you for linking one of my post!
It’s a great post!
The real reason that changes get the rap they do goes back to human psyche. On some level, everyone tends to be reluctant of anything that they do not know, and something that changes is one of the biggest known, no matter how similar to something else that there is that exists. It is similar to that great frontier that people talk about, like the oceans and space – just less mappable.
Excellent point. Thanks, asperion1973
Generally I believe change happens whether we want it to or not. Its better to embrace the change and enjoy the ride rather than resisting it and getting stressed. I know that may be simplistic but over the past few years I’ve pushed myself more out of my comfort zone, wearing brighter colours, using hair dyes (and looking at my hair, it needs refreshed – now what colour will I try this time 🙂
What color will you try? Can’t wait to find out that answer. Love how you encourage embracing the change and enjoying it. Such a great philosophy!
I’m thinking a mahogany tone
You’ve hit on some huge points Wynne. When I’m working in my day job with leaders, I remind them to frequently reach out to their team members about the changes that are taking place. As you say, we aren’t in charge of many of the changes that are happening to us, but when leaders get team input on how the change will happen and give employees a voice, it’s a subtle change, but makes all the difference in the world. Instead of it happening to me, I’m a part of the team and can prepare myself. Big stuff.
Oh, what a great point, Brian. Engaging people to be part of the change – it works with kids, and it works with employees. It is subtle but powerful. Love this angle you provided!
This whole subject makes me uncomfortable because I run from change, I scoff at it, and if all else fails, I hide from it. I know. I should be in a museum. But for good reason, it usually is not my idea in the first place, and like you say I’m attached to my old self, my old ways of moving in the world, and especially my younger skin. Seriously. I might need therapy just reading about all this. I’m sure there are a few changes that would benefit my life in ways I can only imagine but I suppose I have to be willing to do the work. It’s hard, sometimes painful, and then we have to figure out who we are all over again. Like the time I gave up killing spiders and eating sunflower seeds every night. It was disorienting and the spiders knew it. I’m warming to the idea of possibly changing one thing that is currently a detriment, I’ll keep you posted. Oh, I signed up for your workshop! Can’t wait. Hugs, C
Oh, Cheryl, I love this comment! “It was disorienting and the spiders knew it. ” I can’t even begin to enumerate everything I love about that from your amazing ability to write, illustrate a point and make me laugh while doing it. Seems like this last year has been one big change for you and you’re nailing it one authentic acceptance at a time. Thank you for signing up! XOXO!
Thanks for the shoutout and congratulations on the new class! The idea of the 5 people impacting us the most is a really good thing to be aware of and monitor.