Embracing Change: Why It’s Okay to Feel Wobbly

Spring tends to get a lot of credit for being this joyful, fresh start—but let’s be honest, change is weird. Even the good kind. Whether it's a new job, a new relationship, or a shift in how you see yourself, change tends to stir up a complicated mix of emotions.

You might feel excited and also overwhelmed. Motivated and exhausted. Hopeful but deeply unsure.

Welcome to being human.

The Myth of “Readiness”

One of the most common things I hear in the therapy room is: “I thought I’d be more ready.” But the truth is, very few people ever feel 100% ready for a big transition. Change rarely shows up with a neat itinerary and a clear instruction manual. It tends to barge in unannounced, dragging discomfort, doubt, and (hopefully) growth along with it.

The idea that we need to be totally “ready” before taking action keeps a lot of people stuck. In fact, a study by the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that about 70% of individuals do not feel fully prepared for significant career changes. You don’t need perfect clarity to move forward—you just need enough curiosity to take the next small step.

Fresh blooms symbolizing new beginnings, showing nature's embrace of change.

Why Change Feels So Disorienting

Our brains are wired to prefer the familiar, even if that familiarity isn’t great for us. That’s why leaving an unhealthy job or shifting out of an old identity can feel more terrifying than staying stuck. Change forces us to rewrite the scripts we’ve been reciting for years—scripts like:

• “I’m the one who always takes care of everyone.”

• “I can’t start over at this point in my life.”

• “People like me don’t do that.”

  
  

And yet, when we challenge those beliefs, something new becomes possible.

A serene forest path representing the journey of personal transformation and the embrace of new experiences.

A Tool to Ground You

Try this journaling prompt:

“What part of me is ready to grow, and what part of me is still catching up?”

It’s a gentle way to honor both your inner momentum and your inner hesitancy. Growth isn’t about bulldozing over your fears—it’s about listening to them, understanding where they’re coming from, and choosing to move forward anyway.

Permission to Be Messy

Change isn’t a self-improvement project. It’s a process of becoming more of who you actually are. It will be messy. You will contradict yourself. And that’s okay.

If you’re in the middle of a transition—whether it’s visible to others or happening quietly inside—you don’t have to figure it all out right now. Your only job is to stay in the room with yourself. Keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep breathing through the awkward in-between.

Because on the other side of that awkwardness? A version of you that’s more aligned, more alive, and more at peace with who you’re becoming.

A winding river symbolizing life's unpredictable journey and the beauty of embracing change.

Final Thoughts

Change stirs up a mix of emotions—some energizing and others overwhelming. While society often romanticizes new beginnings, it's crucial to recognize that feeling wobbly during transitions is completely normal. Understanding that readiness rarely presents itself in an organized manner can free you from the constraints of perfectionism.

As you navigate your personal journeys, focus on taking small, curious steps forward. Celebrate each wobble as a testament to your growth, and seek support when needed. The journey of embracing change is just as beautiful as the transformations it brings.