Why You Shouldn’t Fear Change

One of the interesting (and powerful!) things of becoming an adult is realizing that you can continue to evolve as you age. It is through discovering new parts of ourselves—likes/dislikes, values, and desires—we start to grow into a new version of our identity.

The more time you can spend doing things that make you feel good—work that is fulfilling, friendships that support you, movement that revitalizes you, clothing that reflects your aesthetic—the less you are likely to reach for food to fill those needs. You’ll never be able to do away with all the unpleasantness of life (bills need to be paid), but having things you look forward to can help ease emotional eating when these stressors do come up because you have something positive to rely on.

But all this personal growth, leaning more into and learning more about yourself, can feel both comforting (you’re not stuck!) and destabilizing (it feels new and overwhelming). You might notice feelings of sadness or grief crop up as who you thought you were or a part of your identity that you thought was set in stone, falls away. This can be big, like becoming a parent, or small, like giving up a hobby that no longer serves you. You might even notice that your evolution alters your relationships, which can be its own kind of grief as your community changes too.

No matter if you’re discovering new sides of yourself in therapy or simply trying new things to see if you enjoy them, we applaud you as you peel back the layers to live more in-line with your desired identity! Many think change, and the feelings of loss that can come with it, is too difficult to embrace.

Know that this bitter-sweet reaction is incredibly normal and you’ll get through it! Keep celebrating who you are becoming which will make embracing the change a little easier.

💛 Your peace awaits.