Lifestyle

The Difficulty Of Change: Why You Need To Take The Leap To Reap The Reward

by Lisa Thompson

Change always seems easy if we are thinking of someone else's change. But if you look at your own life and see just how hard it is to make a personal change, you will understand why expecting someone else to change is even harder.

Change is something many of us struggle with, especially in our 20s. Many of us, including myself, have experienced more change in the last couple of years than ever before.

Sometimes, experiencing change doesn’t mean you are changing, but rather the circumstances and people surrounding you are. Sometimes this transformation can affect you in a way you didn’t see coming.

My Experience:

I finally understand what change is all about. I could make small changes to better myself, but there were some changes I was scared to make.

I realized that I was scared because it meant leaving the comfortable life I lived. It can be difficult to go from a good life to an even better life.

For example, I was diagnosed two years ago with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This meant I had to change my eating and drinking habits. I always ate healthily, but I had to kick it up a notch. I was good for a week, but then I would see myself going back to my old ways and I would get sick again.

I finally made the choice to stick with my decision for a better lifestyle. As much as IBS will always affect my life, I have been able to make the change for a better life and my sickness has decreased dramatically. It amazes me how sticking to something that seemed so hard at first can eventually get better.

Not only did I have to make a change with my health, I also had to make a change in my relationship. It is always easy to stay in the comfortable life we have with someone.

You tell yourself you are happy most of the time and you begin to second guess your gut feelings. This type of change is sometimes easy for a few days, but you may find yourself going back to that person wondering if you made the right decision.

I got out of an unhealthy relationship after months of going back and forth. It was probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I knew I had to do it. As hard as it was, I have never been happier.

It’s Like Riding a Bike

Becoming a better person is scary and it causes a lot of emotions, but over time you can see just how amazing those changes are.

One of my best friends says it's like riding a bike. It's hard at first and hard to stick to because it is uncomfortable. You have to push yourself and make your body move in ways it doesn't normally work. But if you stick to it and take the time to teach yourself, you become more comfortable, and then it sticks with you forever.

After experiencing multiple changes both my of my own decision and in things I had no control over, I know how hard change is. But it's important to stick with a change you make. You become a stronger version of the person you want to be.

Take the chance. Go ride that bike.

Photo credit: Flickr