The Key Lies in Flexibility.

Change. For some people, that word can bring joy and hope into many aspects of their life. A changed lifestyle, income, location. However, for others, including myself, it can be absolutely terrifying. Change to me feels uncomfortable, like that tag on your shirt that keeps poking you in the back of the neck for hours on end, uncomfortable. 

All my life I have associated change with risks, hardships, and ultimately fear. When I think of change I think of the quote that most dads like to say “why fix it if it ain’t broke.” Being able to live and enjoy the present moment is a challenge for me when I know change is on the horizon. 

In the past 6 months, I have experienced more change than I have in my entire twenty-two years of living. I changed jobs, universities, friend groups, relationships, and even my values and beliefs have changed. But the most important thing that has changed is my mindset. I've noticed that I was more emotionally exhausted by trying to resist every aspect of change than by just accepting it. Because of this, I made the conscious choice to become more flexible. By deciding to be more flexible cognitively, I have noticed I can cope better with unexpected changes and adapt to new information. Cognitive flexibility has allowed me to not get so frustrated when little things happen, adapt to changes in my schedule, and see other people's viewpoints even if they are different from mine. It’s helped me breathe a little bit better and think a little clearer. The trick is using your mindset to interpret the change as an opportunity to grow. No matter what, change will always feel slightly uncomfortable to me. But instead of that annoying tag in the back of my shirt, it’s more of a slight poke. Be flexible with your thoughts.

Always,

Maggie Paulus