The nature of change

The world is always in motion, and so are we. All around us life is unfolding in cycles: beginnings and endings, expansion and contraction, growth and decline. Some changes we chase, some we resist, others take us by surprise. Change is as complex as it is inevitable; the same shift can inspire hope in some while striking fear in others. 

Even the word change is a kaleidoscope, reflecting everything from the monumental to the minute. We use it when talking about seismic societal shifts—movements and revolutions that reshape entire landscapes. We also use it to describe the personal pivots in our lives, like looking for a new job, switching cream for oat milk, or trying out a weighted vest.  

Whether considering changes big or small, we may find ourselves pulled between the familiar and the unknown, between a desire for stability and a longing for transformation. In that tension is an invitation to consider who we want to be, and how we want to show up, in this ever-shifting world.

Fresh starts

We can’t really talk about change in January without mentioning New Year’s resolutions. That annual urge to reset and better ourselves—to read more, eat better, declutter, learn a new language, or volunteer. Of course we could make any of these changes on a Tuesday morning in March (or a Thursday evening in November for that matter), but that turn of the calendar feels like a collective invitation to start fresh.  

I’ll admit, each new year I’m torn. I love fresh starts and I aspire to minimalism (I really enjoy an organized space), but January? That’s a tough sell. Having grown up in Toronto and now living on Canada’s west coast, my 48 Januarys have involved too little daylight and too much cold for my liking. I find myself longing for softer, warmer moments; hygge over hustle, hibernation over high energy. I’m good with slow, steady shifts; I even started a new writing practice this year. But I’m convinced we’d be wiser to follow nature and make Spring the time we all agree to “get after it” — whatever “it” may be. 

All the same, a new year is here, change is in the air, and we’re here to explore it! 

Inside the issue

This issue is packed with thoughtful, funny and compelling looks at how we both navigate and create change in our lives. We explore menopause, marriage, money and social media. We take a look at the beauty of neuroplasticity, the gift of nostalgia, and reshaping our relationship with technology. We dive head first into habit change and we share some deeply hopeful, incredibly practical ideas for taking small steps in the directions you want to go. 

In his first InHabit article, New York Times best-selling author Chip Conley invites us to reconsider what it means to be 'over-the-hill.' 

And in our feature interview this month, we were thrilled to speak with Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG. Dr. Shepherd is a board-certified OB/GYN, author, mother, wife, entrepreneur, and a dynamic pioneer in women’s health. She joined me to discuss all things menopause, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mental health, and how vital joy, agency, and community are in midlife and beyond. Don’t miss it! 

Whatever changes you’re navigating or considering, whether you’re crushing your goals or just gently wading into 2025, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you find something in these pages to lean on, or simply enjoy.

Warmly,