Why do we hate change so much? This is one of the oldest questions in the relationship/life book. I think we hate change because it requires us to rethink who we are and where we’ve been. We have to regroup and alter our way of thinking about ourselves and others.
Yet, as we know, change is necessary if we want to continue to improve and grow. Change also requires a certain amount of faith (not necessarily religious faith). Faith that you can and will adapt to something new or different.
I had quite a bit of change this week. And, by last night, I was a bit overwhelmed. Yet, as if the week wasn’t enough, more was piled on by day’s end. So, last night I started to think about why all the changes and why all of a sudden. I forced myself to take out the “why me” and look instead at the bigger picture.
I also started to do some reading on this subject (as you might expect) and found 4 basic reasons why change is difficult:
It’s scary –One of life’s greatest fears is the unknown. It causes us to resist those things for which we cannot easily discern an outcome.
It’s challenging – Change stretches us out of our comfort zone. Some of us like to be stretched more than other people do.
It’s uncertain – When we change, we are often introducing untested waters. We prefer certainty.
It’s unpopular – The resistance to change is universal.
When change has occurred in my life, in the past, I’ve tried to sit back and say “this is happening for a reason and everything will be ok.” This is easy to say but more difficult to actually accomplish. Asking positive question rather than focusing on the “why me” has helped me through these periods.
I have decided that today I am going to welcome all the changes that happened this past week. I am starting my week anew today. I’m going to look for the next silver lining for me and for those around me who are also experiencing changes.
Frankly, we have two choices in life: Accept what is happening (and try not to control the change) or just become a puddle on the floor. I’ve got enough water in my yard, so I’m going to try the former!
Have a great day!
theyearof50 