How to embrace change

As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus put it: “The only constant in life is change. Life is Flux.”

So regardless of whether we like it or not… we are changing every moment of every day. 

And if you think about it, that’s great news.

Staying the same might feel safe, but it often keeps us stuck in routines or mindsets that no longer serve us.

Growth pushes us to learn, adapt, and discover strengths we didn’t know we had.

Sure, it can be uncomfortable, but that’s usually a sign that something meaningful is happening.

In the end, change isn’t just about becoming different but rather, becoming more you.

“Between stimulus and response lies a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose a response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.”  

- Victor Frankl

We’ll start with this quote by Austrian Psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl.

Frankl highlights the powerful idea that we are not controlled by what happens to us, but by how we choose to respond.

The “space” between stimulus and response represents a moment of awareness. An opportunity to pause and reflect, instead of reacting automatically. 

For example, have you ever been in a situation where someone or something has triggered you? It feels awful right?

We might want to protect ourselves by lashing out, getting defensive or withdrawing.

Frankl’s quote invites us to notice that moment and make an intentional choice, because in that choice lies our true freedom and the potential for personal growth and change. 

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."

- Socrates

This quote is a powerful reminder that meaningful change isn’t about trying to re-do the past, but about creating the future. 

If you’ve been wanting to change something in your life, perhaps you’ve started with thinking about what isn’t going well or what you dislike about your life, relationships, or yourself.

That is totally natural and normal.

But sometimes, a more motivating and meaningful place to start when it comes to real transformation begins with putting our energy into building something new. This can be a mindset, a relationship, a habit, etc. 

Putting our energy into positive daydreaming can sometimes be exactly what we need to get unstuck and escape the cycle of getting trapped by overwhelming or paralyzing thoughts.

In the end, this quote isn’t about ignoring the past, but about not letting it define us.

The real secret of change lies in our ability to imagine something better and take steps towards it, one choice at a time.

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."

- Carl Rogers

Our third piece of wisdom comes to us from the famous humanistic psychologist, Carl Rogers.

This quote touches on something that feels almost backwards at first.

It’s the idea that real change begins with self-acceptance. We often think we have to be hard on ourselves or “fix” everything so we can grow, but that pressure can actually hold us back. 

When we accept ourselves as we are (flaws, mistakes, and all) we create a safe space inside to grow without shame or fear.

Shame can create a really toxic headspace, maybe you can relate to this if you’ve felt trapped by this feeling before.

And embracing acceptance over shame doesn’t mean we stop trying to improve — it means we’re honest about where we are, while being kind to ourselves in the process.

When we stop fighting who we are and start embracing ourselves with honesty and compassion, we create the emotional freedom to grow. 

That’s the paradox Carl Rogers is talking about, the moment we stop trying to be someone else and fully accept ourselves, we actually become more open to change.

Real, lasting change comes from knowing we are worthy of growth, just as we are.

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our last quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, a poet and philosopher from the 1800s.

Similar to our first quote from Victor Frankl, this quote by Emerson is all about the power of personal choice. 

It reminds us that who we become in life is shaped by the decisions we make every day.

We’re not stuck with some fixed destiny; instead, we’re constantly creating ourselves through our actions, mindset, and goals.

It puts the responsibility of our lives in our hands. If we want to grow, improve, or head in a new direction, we don’t have to wait for permission or some perfect moment. 

We just have to decide to take that step. As many of you did when you joined this community here at Focused Space!

Change starts the moment we realize we’re not just passengers in life, we’re the ones steering the ship.

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P.S. If you aren't a member of Focused Space, but could use help accomplishing your goals, busting through procrastination, or getting motivated… you are welcome to join us at one of our live guided work sessions, or morning planning sessions!

Take care,

— Darya and the focused space team