Change

Change. That’s a word that can cause nausea.

And whether it is professional or personal, change is a big deal.

How you communicate that change is even more important — and it depends on the circumstances and the people involved.

I grew up as a military brat. Change happened every 3-4 years, and it was out of my control. The older I got, the more I despised that part of my life. We would JUST get settled, and into a groove…then the posting message would arrive.

Now that I look back, being in a military family prepared me for change, in all facets of my life. Do I like change? Not always, even when I know it is necessary. Change means you are deviating from your well-established groove. Even when the change is a good one — better efficiencies at work, a new and exciting career move, or a fresh start in a new city — you’re still out of your comfort zone.

If you know a change is coming and you have some leeway, it’s always best to bring in the people it will affect as early as you can. When people KNOW what’s happening and have space to ask questions and process it, it makes the whole experience feel a little less overwhelming — and buy‑in becomes so much easier.

When people are included in a change, they feel like they’re part of something — and that sense of belonging matters.

I know that sometimes change happens without any notice, and sometimes it’s completely beyond YOUR control. You’re left dealing with the fallout. Change under pressure tests you, pokes at you, and it can really sting. In those moments, being as transparent as you can about what you know — and acknowledging that the situation isn’t ideal — helps. Working together as a team to move forward can make that kind of change feel a little less heavy.

I’m about to start a new position on Monday, and while I’ve had time to decompress and recharge (thank you, Oceanstone — that’s the picture above), I know that tomorrow evening I’ll still get a little bit of that ‘but what if?’ feeling.

I’m lucky to have had amazing support from my new workplace, and I already know a few folks there, so it won’t feel as completely ‘brand new’ as some of my previous moves.

I believe my childhood gave me the power to adapt (along with some unresolved trauma — yay). That ability has helped me read a room, sit back, and learn. Observation is a great tool — we just don’t always get the chance to use it.

Lessons learned — especially if you can actually have a debrief — can help a lot. Knowing what went wrong AND what went right gives you such an advantage going into the next project.

For personal change — journal. I started doing this as part of my therapy homework at the end of last year, and it’s been incredibly helpful. Going back and reading through some of the tough moments has shown me what helped and what didn’t.

When you’re open, honest, and transparent — and you give people the chance to ask questions and be involved — it doesn’t just make change easier. It reminds everyone that they’re capable of moving through it.