I am a creature of habit. My approach to day-to-day tasks is fairly methodical.

I’ve deliberately tailored my various routines and rituals to suit my personality. I try to design my life intentionally, and because of this, I don’t take to change lightly.

I’m not exactly an early adopter. I’ve been known to poo-poo new technology that doesn’t fit into my way of doing things, or roll my eyes at the mention of a new trend (unless that new trend happens to support something I’ve already been doing—then I’m all for it!).

Trying to keep up with our innovation-obsessed culture can be exhausting. Can people just stop updating stuff so I can get into a stable groove?

Although I get grumpy when outside influences threaten to disrupt the careful choices I’ve made, I know that resolute stubbornness doesn’t serve me, in the long run. We live in a time where everything is changing at breakneck speed. If we don’t adapt our routines to gel with the outside world, we run the risk of isolating ourselves. So, rather than avoid change, stubborn people like me have to learn how to approach it comfortably.

When I look back on how I’ve adapted to different things over time, I usually appreciate how external pressure has nudged me towards positive change. I’ve realized that it’s not change by itself that I resist, it’s sudden change for no good reason.

For me, the key to embracing change is to make very gradual shifts every day. This allows me to test things out before committing. After trying something, I start to see its benefits, and then I’m more inclined to incorporate the new thing into my routine.

One area that I’m particularly set in my ways about is nutrition. One day, it seems like I have a pretty balanced diet. Then, on another day, foods that I once considered healthy (wheat, soy, low-fat dairy, legumes) are called into question. I tense up at the thought of having to give up the foods that I love.

But if I think of new health findings as suggestions rather than prescriptions, they’re a lot easier to hear. Instead of cutting out these foods completely, I might try cutting back. In the case of wheat, I do feel better when I eat less, so I’m grateful for the heightened awareness. New discoveries in nutrition don’t have to turn your diet upside-down, but they can help you refine over time.

As a designer, I have to adapt to changes in technology every day. If I didn’t stay up to date with web trends and the latest software, I’d be out of a job. The reason that I’m able to assimilate these changes comfortably is because I’m making gradual changes that build on what I already know. It’s not that hard to go from version 5.5 of something to version 5.6, but it is hard to go from version 1.1 to 5.6.

It’s helpful to think of any uncomfortable change in this way. Little refinements that build on what you’re already doing are much easier to handle than drastic, sudden changes.

So forget grand statements about how the future of the web is this, or the future of food is that. If the speed that everyone else is changing feels too fast, it’s ok to move a little slower. Don’t feel pressured by trends to change the way you do things overnight. Instead, I prefer to think of the future as the next meal or the next task–whatever is right in front of you.

What tiny change can you make that will help you subtly evolve over time? When change is bite-sized, it’s much easier to digest. 

xo,
Rebecca