Life is full of pivot points, but we all shudder at change because we don’t know what comes next. We hold onto what makes us feel comfortable and secure even when it bores us. But the reality is this: change isn’t just inescapable, it’s necessary. Each new page presents an opportunity to discover yourself all over again, tap into untapped potential, and build a life that feels truer.
Have you ever caught yourself quietly yearning for something more, even when your life seems just right on the surface? Perhaps your job is secure, your love life is settled, and everything is “right.” But inside, you’re not at peace. Your day-to-day existence is nice, but it no longer ignites the fire it used to. This is not an uncommon sensation, particularly in midlife, when individuals begin to wonder: *Is this all there is?
That sentiment isn’t arbitrary, it has a term. Psychologists refer to it as generativity, the stage at which individuals start looking for meaning beyond existence and achievement. It’s the time you no longer pursue “what’s next” for yourself alone, and begin wondering how your life will serve a larger purpose. To some, it means starting a new company or podcast. For others, it’s changing careers, starting a blog, mentoring the young ones, or engaging in philanthropy. That “itch” is just your inner self whispering to you that it’s time to change.
But here’s the catch: rather than heeding that inner call, most of us procrastinate. We rationalize: I’ll do this when the kids are older. I’ll consider it once the mortgage is out of the way. I’ll do it when retirement is nearer. These delays are sensible, but in truth, they leave us stuck in a transition cycle frozen in between where we are and where we dream of being. The longer we delay, the more difficult it is to shift.
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The Price of Staying in the Comfort Zone
Comfort is nice, but residing in it for too long is uncomfortable in its own right. Consider it what was once stimulating can come to feel stale, even smothering. Stagnation leads to frustration, boredom, and sometimes even resentment of the very activities we initially enjoyed.
Consider the experience of Kiki L’Italien, an esteemed community builder. She invested more than 16 years building Association Chat, a successful platform for association professionals. It was her passion project, her “baby.” But as her goals shifted, she realized the brand no longer aligned with her purpose. Selling it was difficult, it felt like letting go of a piece of herself but it also freed her to create something new. Kiki’s journey reminds us that moving forward doesn’t mean erasing the past. Instead, it means reframing what feels like loss into legacy. Her efforts weren’t over when she released Association Chat it transformed into something greater, enabling her to concentrate on trust, leadership, and greater impact.
The Call to Reframe Your Journey
Change isn’t leaving behind all that you have established. It’s changing your narrative. Each time you enter a different season of life, you’re not beginning anew, you’re layering on top of the foundation of what you already know, what you’ve learned, and what you’ve gained. You can perceive transitions as not endings but as a chance to establish a new comfort zone that is in harmony with who you are now by changing your mindset.
For Kiki, it was releasing what was no longer serving her so that she could channel her energy into something new. For you, it could be looking into a new career, beginning a creative endeavor, or spending time in community service. Change does not always have to be extreme, though, as it can start in tiny ways that lead you closer to an existence that feels purposeful and exhilarating.
Why You Ought Not To Ignore the Itch
If you’ve been restless, bored, and stuck, that’s your inner compass calling you on to something more. Not heeding it might keep you safe, but it certainly keeps you stationary. And being stationary tends to breed more pain than venturing into the unknown.
The excellence of transitions is that they push us to our limits. They show us how to be resilient, brave, and discover ourselves. They tell us that growing occurs not in the comfort zone but on the other side of fear.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to make a move, take this as your sign. Life is too short to be lived on autopilot. Whether it’s changing careers, trying new passions, or rewriting your identity, have faith that the itch you’re feeling is guiding you towards a more meaningful chapter.
Your next comfort zone awaits. Step boldly into it.
