Desensitizing Yourself to Change

Is your change engine running low? Let’s refuel.

How do you train yourself to become less rattled by the unexpected? 

Here are some low-stakes ways to stretch your “change muscle” in everyday life:

Switch up your commute.

Take a different route to or from work—even if it adds a few minutes. It’s a subtle reminder that change doesn’t have to mean chaos.

Order without overthinking. 

Pick the first item you see on a menu and just go for it. You might discover a new favorite—or at least get a good story out of it.

Add a twist to date night.

Block out time for a spontaneous activity—let your partner pick! Think of it as an adventure. And if it’s awkward or weird? Laugh about it. That’s part of the fun.

Shrink the size of the problem.

When something disruptive happens, try saying, “Will this even matter tomorrow?” Most things don’t.

Have a fallback plan for delays. 

If someone’s late to a Zoom, use that time to review something else or take a breath. Being unbothered is a power move.

Look back to see how far you’ve come.

Think about your first job. What did you outgrow? What didn’t fit? You probably didn’t know until you did it. Sometimes, learning what you don’t want is how clarity begins.

Intentionally plan for small disruptions.

Shake up your routine every so often—not because you have to, but because it helps you stay nimble.

Find the humor in the hiccups.

I personally forget to pack something on every business trip—despite checklists. At this point, I just laugh, adapt, and move on. (Pro tip: Low Usual Insistence might have something to do with that.)

Bottom line? When you learn to roll with things instead of resisting them, you gain confidence. You realize that you don’t need perfection to succeed—just the willingness to move forward, no matter the route.