Embracing Impermanence – Finding Peace in a World That’s Always Shifting
Welcome back, Friends,
Another year is coming to an end… and a new one is about to begin.
One of the most bittersweet truths about this human life we live is the impermanence of everything. Nothing lasts forever.
Sometimes that truth feels like a blessing — like when we finally make it through a tough exam schedule or work project, the awkwardness of adolescence, sleep-training a baby, or the tail end of a cold, when we can finally breathe again.
And sometimes we wish things would never end — like the bond we have with a loved one or pet, the feeling of deep joy, or the sense of purpose that comes with reaching a meaningful goal.
The only constant in life is that it will keep unfolding - always changing, often in ways we can’t control or predict.
For some, that might feel exciting. But for many of us, it can feel daunting, even terrifying. It seems to go against the safety and stability we naturally crave. When we’re aware of how temporary everything is, we may slip into a scarcity mindset, gripping tightly to what we love, or simply what we know, out of fear that it’ll be taken away.
But if we can soften our grip, if we can gently accept the inevitability of change, we open ourselves to the beauty that comes with it. We invite in the possibility that what’s ahead might surprise us — not just with loss, but with growth, connection, and magic.
As Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “You cannot step into the same river twice.”
While we often think of change as something dramatic or long-awaited, it’s actually happening in every moment — in quiet, subtle ways.
I might notice how much I’ve changed over the past decade, or how a city skyline has evolved, but those shifts happened through countless tiny moments. Every time I walk around the small lake near my home, something is different: a branch, a bird, the way the light hits the water. Each visit is familiar…and new.
Maybe it’s not the small shifts that scare us most, but the possibility that our lives could change completely in an instant. And yes, sometimes they do. But often, even the big changes weren’t as sudden as they seemed. They were building slowly, in the background, one moment at a time.
I’m not saying we won’t need time to grieve when life changes. We will. Change can bring loss, fear, and uncertainty. But it also invites us to loosen our grip, to slow down, and to notice the moment we’re in, because there will never be another exactly like it.
Maybe that acceptance helps soften our impatience when we feel stuck in a waiting season. Maybe it reminds us that even the frustration we feel with our partner, child or friend, or the boredom we feel in the mundane rhythms of daily life, is also fleeting. And just maybe, it helps us notice the joy, connection, and meaning that can arise in the most ordinary places when we allow ourselves to be fully present with what is.
As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.”
If nothing changed, there would be no room for healing. No growth. No second chances. No unexpected delight. Even a quiet evening with someone we love can hold something new, if we’re willing to open our eyes and hearts to it.
The more we attune ourselves to these everyday shifts — the tone of a conversation, the sensation in our body, the rhythm of the season — and the more we accept them, the steadier we feel moving through the bigger changes. It doesn’t make them easy, but it can make them less overwhelming.
So instead of resisting change, maybe we practice staying curious. Maybe we learn to meet change, even the uncomfortable kind, with presence.
Here are a few reminders that might help when change feels hard to hold:
If nothing changed, nothing could grow: That includes relationships, habits, how we view ourselves, even children and the food we eat.
Change can be uncomfortable - and meaningful - at the same time: Like starting therapy, beginning a new career, or stepping into something unknown.
Letting go makes space for what’s next, even if we can’t see it yet: Sometimes we outgrow things before the new path is clear. It’s okay if clarity comes slowly.
Even joyful seasons shift. That doesn’t make them any less beautiful: A flower’s beauty isn’t diminished by the fact that it fades. It’s made more precious because it does.
Some endings hurt - and still bring clarity, freedom, or unexpected gifts: Even when we don’t understand why something ended, we might notice how we’ve softened, opened, or become more honest with ourselves and others because of it.
You don’t have to feel ready to take the next step. You just have to be willing to begin: Willingness often carries us further than certainty ever could.
As we step into a new year, I hope you can carry these reminders with you.
Not to force positivity or gloss over grief, but to help you stay open to what this next chapter might hold.
Whether you're reflecting on the past or imagining what’s ahead, I hope you can stay present to the magic of this moment — because it, too, will pass.
And that’s what makes it so precious.
Happy New Year
With heartfelt gratitude,
Christina
