Embrace Change in Your Life: Guide to A Surprisingly Good Life
“Make friends with change”.
The quote comes from a TV interview with an actor, I picked up as a kid.
I have no idea why the quote stuck in my memory. Maybe I somehow knew I would have to deal with change later in life.. I´m naturally a nostalgic person. I romanticize my upbringing, my friends and the places I know. And I also love routines.
When I chose to pursue acting as a career, I was forced to develop a different mindset—one that not only accepts change but, welcomes it. Through this, I discovered how exciting life can become when we embrace change rather than resist it.
In this article, I’ll share the key insights that helped me develop this mindset and build a career and life I love.
The Meaning of Change
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” – Albert Einstein
This quote confused me in the beginning. Why would the ability to change be a sign of intelligence?
But the more I thought about it, the quote grew on me.
Life is growth, and growth requires change. Change is not an obstacle; it’s the essence of life. It’s happening all the time, whether we like it or not.
So therefore, its easy te see why the ability to change is an “intelligent” trait.
Because change will take place regardless of what we think of it. The only real question is: are you willing to go along for the ride?
Because if we resist change, we resist life. And we will be left behind.
Gifts Are Coming Your Way
Change may show up in many forms. Sometimes, it arrives as loss or heartbreak. But often, it comes in the form of opportunities—gifts from life that have the potential to reshape us.
These gifts can be small, like someone holding a door open for you. Or they can be life-changing, like a new job or a relationship.
In both cases, we face a decision: Will we accept the gift or let it pass us by?
Looking back, I’ve realized that my biggest obstacle wasn’t a lack of opportunities but my own fear of change.
It wasn’t the gift itself I was afraid of—it was what came with it: uncertainty, discomfort, and the need to let go of the familiar.
Things not going according to plan
The challenge with accepting gifts. Is that they usually require us to derive from or original plan in some way.
Lets say you want to live in city X.
But you meet and fall in love with a person from the city Y.
Now you have a decision, should you keep to your original plan and live in city X. Or accept that life is presenting an alternative path for you?
This is a simplification ofcourse. By exemplifies the idea of how new opportunities ask for us to derive from what with originally had in mind for ourselves.
PRO TIP: Free yourself from the idea that things go WRONG if they don´t go according to plan.
The Tradeoff
Every opportunity comes with a tradeoff. To make room for something new, we often have to let go of something old.
Sometimes, it’s a physical thing, like moving to a new city. Other times, it’s a belief, a habit, or a version of yourself that no longer serves you.
For example, I recently had to relocate for a job. I’d just settled into a new apartment and craved stability, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. As much as I resisted at first, I reminded myself that this discomfort was part of growth.
Here’s a short video I made about the experience
As an actor and freelancer, I’ve had to embrace uncertainty as a way of life. My work rarely lets me plan more than a year ahead.
It’s still a challenge. I’m a sensitive person, and adapting to change takes a lot of energy. But I’ve learned how to make friends with change—and it’s been worth it.
The Force Holding You Back
Let’s talk about what keeps us stuck.
Gravity keeps us grounded, preventing us from floating off into space. That’s a good thing. But there’s another kind of gravity—a “negative gravity” that holds us back from growth. That prevents the life change you want.
Steven Pressfield describes this in his book The War of Art. This negative gravity keeps us clinging to the familiar, stopping our ideas and aspirations from taking flight.
For example:
- You stay in a job you hate because you fear financial instability.
- You stick with friends who drain your energy because you’re afraid of being alone.
- You remain in an unhealthy relationship because breaking up feels overwhelming.
The list goes on and on.
This resistance to change keeps us stagnant. And stagnation is the opposite of life.
And why wouldn’t you be able to find success in your current situation? You might ask.
Your current success in life. Is a manifestation of your current habits and behaviors.
So, if you want a new level of success..
You need to keep a close eye at your resistance to change. The life you want, is on the other side of changes. Or else, you would already be living it.
Ways to Embrace Change
First of all.
Remind yourself that change is a natural part of life. Personal growth is not about outgrowing your friends or loved ones.
Its about evolving with life adopt new ways of thinking. And whoever is meant to be in your life. Will find a way to stay there.
Its about uncovering what life has to offer, instead of controlling and planning every aspect of it.
Practical Advice to Help You Embrace Change:
- Pay close attention to your comfort zone
The things, places and people. That don´t add to your life, but keep you in the safe zone. Would you become friends if you met them today? Or, are you friends because you’ve known them for a long time? - Seek the Unfamiliar
The best opportunities often hide in unexpected places. Stay curious and open to what’s out there. - Stay on Your Toes.
Not toe tipping like your´e scared. But put yourself in a state of curiosity about stuff. So that you become excited to see what comes next in your life.
Closing Thoughts: Achieving Personal and Professional Goals Through Change
Embracing change means cultivating resilience, gaining confidence, and welcoming transformation. And means that you will constantly be learning something new.
It’s not always easy—it’s often easier said than done. But navigating change with a positive mindset can lead to personal and professional fulfillment. Remember these key points:
- Change is necessary for personal growth and development.
- Adaptability and resilience are essential to overcome resistance to change.
- Small victories and self-reflection help build momentum.
- Stepping outside your comfort zone can open doors to new opportunities.
- Inspirational quotes and support systems can provide motivation.
By embracing change, you can create an exciting life. Perhaps not the life you dreamed off, but probably a better more colorful version. Beyond anything you expected.
