What If Change Isn’t the Enemy? (LinkedIn Backlog | January 2025)

In 2024, I set and accomplished some lofty goals. With those came a lot of change—my worst nightmare. 

The first big change was months in the making, yet it still shook my foundation. Over the summer, I moved from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. For five years, I had lived in the same apartment—the longest I’d stayed anywhere since my childhood home. That cozy, 606-square-foot space was more than just a place to live. It was my first post-college apartment, and it saw me through three jobs, the pandemic, grad school, and all the highs and lows of being a single 20-something. But in July, I packed up my life and moved into a two-bedroom townhouse with my partner.

The exciting part was building a life together in a new home. The scary part? The unknown—a new town, new routines, and, most daunting of all, a two-hour commute back to my job in St. Louis.

For the first month or so, I wondered what the Universe was punishing me for with this drive. But I soon realized something important: I could choose how I framed the situation. I could either stay stuck in fear and frustration or embrace the unknown and see what lessons it had to offer.

Then, in October, another big change arrived: I started my new position at SEMO. This change was anticipated and welcome, but it brought its own set of challenges. That ever-familiar self-doubt crept in—the kind that makes you question your abilities and wonder if you’re truly ready for a leap like this.

Instead of letting these uncharted parts of my life and career intimidate me, I chose to reframe them as opportunities:

My lengthy commute? It became a quiet time for reflection and creative brainstorming for passion projects.

My new job? A chance to confidently step into a new role, leveraging the growth and lessons from my previous experiences to make a name for myself.

Moving to a larger house? It taught me about responsibility, balance, and the importance of keeping a home. (Have you seen my post about #SundayReset?)

As cliché as it sounds, change isn’t easy—but without it, you’ll never grow. Growing pains—like a two-hour commute or adjusting to a new job—are a natural part of the process. 

Staying in the same place, whether personally or professionally, might feel safe, but real growth happens when you embrace the discomfort of change.

Is there a goal you’ve been avoiding because of a fear of change?