Embracing Change
who we are in this moment—and who we are capable of becoming
A monthly community newsletter: The Altar Within —notes on life, magic, and liberation. (Exclusive offering for paid subscribers: learn more here)
Nikki Giovanni, one of the most powerful voices of our time, recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, brilliance, and unflinching truth. Her words have always been a lighthouse in turbulent times, guiding us back to ourselves when the world feels heavy.
She once wrote, “A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.”
As we sit with the enormity of her passing, I find myself drawn to these words, thinking about how they speak to where we are now—not just as individuals, but as a collective. The world is changing so rapidly that it can leave us feeling overwhelmed. But Giovanni’s wisdom reminds us that even in the face of transformation, there is a possibility for growth, for discovery, for joy.
For so many, it feels like the world we once knew has disappeared, replaced by something unfamiliar and uncertain. And yet, in her wisdom, Giovanni reminds us that resisting change doesn’t stop it. It only stops us from discovering the beauty, possibility, and power within ourselves.
Transition is one of life’s most challenging invitations. It shakes our foundations, asks us to let go of what’s familiar, and demands we trust that something new will take its place. But resisting this process doesn’t preserve what we’ve lost—it keeps us stuck, unable to fully step into who we are meant to become.
Why do we resist change so fiercely? Because it threatens our sense of control. It forces us to face the unknown and challenges us to let go of the comfort we’ve built in our current realities. Even when we’re unhappy with where we are, the familiar feels safer than the unfamiliar. But the cost of resisting transition is high. We lose time. We lose opportunities. Most of all, we lose ourselves. When we refuse to embrace change, we deny ourselves the chance to heal, to learn, to experience life as it unfolds.
Giovanni tells us that once we embrace change, we can “learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.” This is such a powerful reframing. It reminds us that change doesn’t have to be something we merely endure—it can be something we explore, something we use to create a new way of being. When we stop resisting, we begin to notice what’s emerging. We start to see new paths forward, new ways of thinking, and new parts of ourselves coming to life.
But to get there, we must first choose to embrace the transition. That doesn’t mean we won’t grieve what we’ve lost. It doesn’t mean we won’t feel scared or uncertain. It means we recognize that change isn’t here to destroy us—it’s here to transform us.
This is a radical act in a world that often tells us we are only worthy when we fit into a fixed mold. But we are not static beings. We are always evolving, always becoming. To resist change is to deny ourselves the joy of discovering who we are in this moment—and who we are capable of becoming.
Sometimes it feels like we’re all trying to hold our breath under a sky that won’t stop falling. The weight of everything—climate disasters, political chaos, economic uncertainty, even the endless churn of personal transformation can feel like too much.
I’ve been sitting with that weight, trying to name it, trying to hold it with care. Survival, as Audre Lorde reminds us, is more than just staying alive. It’s about growing through what we endure, about finding power in the fact that we’re still here. But sometimes that power feels distant, and instead, all we feel is exhaustion.
Let’s start here, in this place that so many of us avoid: fear.
It’s okay to be scared. To admit that this moment in time is overwhelming. To say, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. The world tells us that fear is weakness, but that’s a lie. Naming our fear is the bravest thing we can do because it pulls us closer to the truth.
It’s about recognizing what’s hard, sitting with it, and giving ourselves permission to feel it all. We need to stop telling ourselves that we have to have all the answers or that we have to push through without breaking.
There’s so much strength in pausing, in breathing, in saying: This is hard. I’m tired. I’m scared.
The World Is Changing—and So Are We
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, an Indigenous scholar and writer, once said that creating a better world requires “profoundly different ways of thinking, organizing, and being.” That’s what we’re being asked to do right now—to let go of the familiar and step into the unknown.
And let’s be honest… that’s terrifying.
If I could hold your hand right now, I would. If I could remind you in every way possible that you’re not alone in this storm, I would.
One of the biggest lies we’ve been told is that we have to do this by ourselves. That strength is independence. That asking for help is weakness. But the truth is, strength is in community. Strength is in knowing when to lean on the people around us.
It’s okay to need each other. To call someone and say, I’m struggling. To sit in silence with a friend who just gets it. To remind each other, you don’t have to carry this alone.
When I imagine the world I want to live in, I don’t picture perfection. I picture care. I picture a foundation where we’re not just surviving but thriving—where rest, joy, and liberation aren’t privileges but birthrights.
We’re not there yet. But every time we choose to care for ourselves, every time we show up for each other, every time we say, this is the world I want to build, we get a little closer.
You are powerful. Not because you have all the answers. Not because you never falter. But because you’re still here. Because you’re still trying.
Let’s keep trying, together.
with love,
Juliet
A Reflection for You
Take a moment to sit with these questions:
• How can you create space to care for yourself in the midst of it all?
• Who can you reach out to this week to remind them they’re not alone?
How to Embrace Change
1. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling
It’s okay to feel scared, sad, or uncertain about change. Acknowledging your emotions doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re giving yourself permission to feel and heal.
2. Focus on Curiosity, Not Fear
Instead of asking, Why is this happening? try asking, What can I learn from this? Curiosity opens the door to growth and possibility.
3. Let Go of Perfection
Change is messy, and that’s okay. You don’t have to navigate it perfectly. You just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
Every step you take toward embracing change is worth celebrating. Recognize your courage and give yourself credit for showing up.
5. Build a Support System
You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on friends, family, or your community. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there makes all the difference.
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Thank you. I needed these words today ❤️
Beautiful