Have you ever found yourself wishing life would just stop changing for a second? Maybe you’ve longed to go back to a time or place where everything felt simpler, more familiar, or under control. I know I have. It’s a feeling most of us experience at one point or another—the desire to return to what’s comfortable, thinking that somehow things will fall back into place. But life doesn’t pause for us. Life is like surfing: you don’t get to control the waves, but you can always choose how to ride them.
A few years ago, I felt like I was fighting against the current. After living in Europe for four years, all I could think about was going back home to Tahiti. I missed the familiar faces, the slower rhythm of island life, and the sense of belonging I thought was waiting for me. In my mind, going home would be like catching that perfect wave—the one that smooths everything out and brings you back to balance.
But here’s the reality: life’s waves don’t wait for you. The place I left behind had changed, and so had I. When I finally made it back to Tahiti, I didn’t find the peace I was searching for. Instead, I felt out of place, like I didn’t quite fit in anymore. The life I thought I wanted wasn’t what I needed, and that realization hit hard.
That’s when I learned something crucial: the only constant in life is change. The world doesn’t stay still, and neither do we. Holding on to what was, or wishing for things to go back to how they were, only leads to frustration. It’s like trying to stop the ocean’s waves—exhausting and impossible. The key isn’t to fight the current but to learn how to adapt, to ride the waves as they come.
How Often Do I Resist Change?
I’ve found that I often resist change because it feels uncomfortable. I think about times when I’ve held on to a job, a relationship, or a routine just because it was familiar, even though it no longer served me. We all do it. We crave stability, and the thought of stepping into something unknown is often scary. But here’s the thing—life will always throw new waves at us. Change is inevitable. The question is, how do we respond to it?
Am I riding the waves, or am I fighting them?
When I returned to Tahiti, I realized that the peace I was searching for wasn’t about going back to a place or time. It was about learning to embrace the changes that had happened, both in my environment and within myself. The life I needed wasn’t in the past—it was ahead of me, but only if I was willing to adjust and grow with the new circumstances.
Take Steve Jobs, for instance. His journey wasn’t a straight line of success. After being fired from the company he founded, he could have given up. Instead, he adapted and went on to build even more revolutionary products. His ability to navigate change is part of what made him so successful.
Adapting: The Key to Success and Peace
So, what does it mean to be adaptable? It doesn’t mean I have to love every change that comes my way. It means I accept that change is part of life and find ways to move forward instead of clinging to what no longer fits.
Just like surfing, it’s not about controlling the waves—it’s about learning to ride them. Here are a few ways I’ve learned to become more adaptable, and how you can too:
1. Embrace Uncertainty
Change often brings uncertainty, and that can be uncomfortable. But instead of seeing it as a threat, I try to view it as an opportunity for growth. Every wave, no matter how big or small, carries the potential for something new. When I stop fearing uncertainty, I open myself up to new experiences and possibilities.
When facing uncertainty, I ask myself, “What can this change teach me?” Shifting my perspective to see change as a teacher makes it less scary and more empowering.
2. Stay Open and Curious
One of the best ways I’ve learned to become more adaptable is to stay open-minded. I approach new situations with curiosity rather than resistance. When I’m stuck in old ways of thinking, I limit myself. Adaptability starts with a willingness to explore new paths, even when they feel uncomfortable.
Think of it like this: every wave is different, and each requires a different approach. The more open I am to trying new things, the easier it becomes to find my balance.
3. Shift My Perspective
Sometimes the hardest part of adapting is letting go of how things used to be. But holding onto the past prevents me from seeing the opportunities in the present. Instead of viewing change as a disruption, I try to see it as a natural part of life’s flow.
When I change my mindset to view life’s waves as part of my journey, I realize that each one brings its own opportunities for growth. It’s not about controlling the current—it’s about finding peace within it.
4. Practice Patience with Myself
Adapting to change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and self-compassion. Some waves will be harder to ride than others, and that’s okay. I remind myself to be patient as I navigate these changes. It’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about finding a way to move forward, little by little.
Why Adaptability Leads to Success and Peace
When I stop resisting change and start adapting to it, life becomes smoother. I stop feeling like I’m fighting against something I can’t control. Success in life isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about learning to adjust to the circumstances and challenges that come my way.
And here’s the most important part: when I embrace change, I find peace. Instead of feeling anxious or frustrated by the things I can’t control, I learn to flow with them. I realize that no matter what wave comes my way, I have the ability to ride it.
Take a Moment for Self-Reflection
Think back to a time when you resisted change. How did it feel? Now, imagine if you had leaned into that change instead of fighting it. What might have been different? What lessons could you have learned sooner? Take a moment to reflect on where you are now and ask yourself: “Am I riding the waves of life, or am I fighting them?”
Learning to Surf Life’s Waves
In life, the waves will always keep coming. Sometimes they’re gentle and easy to navigate, and other times they crash over us unexpectedly. But the secret isn’t to stop the waves—it’s to learn to ride them with grace and confidence. The more I resist, the harder it becomes. But once I learn to adapt, to flow with life’s changes, that’s when I find my true balance.
Change is inevitable. But growth? That’s a choice. And it all starts with learning to surf the waves, not fight them.
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Thank you so much for reading my letter — it means a lot to me.
See you next week,
- Lucas
