Embrace change, they say. Be a change agent, they say. Change is uncomfortable, unpredictable, and almost always inconvenient. And yet, here we are, living in a world where people can’t stop talking about “embracing change” as if it’s some magical journey to self-discovery.

The push toward change is relentless. From TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, to AI Personalized Nutrition, Adaptogens and Functional Foods—the world is changing so fast it’s enough to make even the most resilient just say no to change champions second guess themselves.

But why do we have to change? Change is for the young, the inexperienced, those who only know enough to be dangerous, in other words—not our people. It’s time to embrace a more secure way of life, one of resisting change with the kind of energy and defiance that only decades of experience can provide.

So let’s dive into how you can live a life free of change—and be proud of it. Be unapologetically yourself—and whatever happens, do not lean into it. 

In fact, you might want to lean into not leaning into it.

Change champions will try to tell you that progress is important, but we know the truth: comfort is king.

1. The fine art of not leaning into it

If it worked yesterday, why shouldn’t it work today? Or tomorrow? Or in 2035? Change champions will try to tell you that progress is important, but we know the truth: comfort is king. Stick to your routines, even if they’re a little outdated—they’ve always been there for you and they’ve always worked. Mentally press “Skip ad” when you hear something you don’t like or don’t want to know.  It’s your process, and that’s what matters.

Start using terms like hybrid fitness, recovery focus, social commerce, workcations, digital nomadism, wearables, biometric devices and conscious living.

2. Creating an illusion of progress: The answer is in the vocabulary

Sometimes you have to throw the overly zealous change-makers a bone. So make a slight tweak here or there, something that’s enough to keep them happy but at the same time, insignificant enough that it doesn’t disrupt your comfort zone. This is all about how you package up what you are communicating and the answer is in the vocabulary.

Start using terms like hybrid fitness, recovery focus, social commerce, workcations, digital nomadism, wearables, biometric devices and conscious living.

They don’t need to know you’re actually referring to walking around a mall, reading in the bath, buying a muffin at a bake sale, working from the cottage, walking your dog, doing anything with headphones, wearing eyeglasses or waking up to an alarm. And you are well on your way to creating an illusion of progress.

Not only will you impress everyone on your ahead-of-the-curve early adoption of all-things new—but you may end up being seen as an influencer without ever having to change a thing.

3. It's not you, it’s them

Obviously, the person who wants you to change thinks you have a problem. They’ll stop pushing if you can convince them that it’s not a big deal. Even better if you can convince them that it’s their problem, not yours. Better still if you hold your ground and are unapologetically yourself.

If you want to make the case that you don’t have a problem, find somebody else who has a similar problem, but is much worse than you. The good news here is that there is always someone worse.

When all else fails, there’s always blame, but be careful here—this one requires a lot of work and you’re going to have to stick to your story over time.

When faced with pressure to change, vague excuses are your best friend.

4. Be tastefully vague

When faced with pressure to change, vague excuses are your best friend. 

“I’d love to, but I’m into recovery focus with my fitness right now.” 

“I don’t have the resources, it will be more of a workcation for me.”

 “I’m waiting for the market to stabilize.” 

The more tastefully vague, reasonable and confident you sound, the harder it is for people to argue with you. Practice saying, “I’ll revisit this after the next quarter.” Just make sure you never get more specific, and you’re on your way to Olympic-level change resistance.

5. If you resist it, they won’t come: Playing the long game

Here’s the beauty of resisting change. Sometimes, if you hold out long enough, it just goes away. The shiny new trend everyone’s excited about? It will be forgotten in a year. The big initiative your company is pushing? Half of it won’t even make it past the pilot phase. Patience is key.

If you stay in one place long enough, the world will revolve around you.

Stay calm and remind yourself that these trendy changes are fads. If you wait long enough, they fade into oblivion. If you stay in one place long enough, the world will revolve around you.

It might be time to bring in the old bait and switch move to create a diversion, change the subject, “look over there!”…you get the idea. This is the perfect time to gossip, start a political argument, or fire up a theological debate that you’ve been keeping in your back pocket for just such an emergency.

The pressure to change always comes at a point of crisis. Under the pressure of the moment, you may need to agree to change in order to avert disaster. That’s okay, as long as you don’t actually do anything substantial. Go ahead, drag your feet. Eventually, it will pass, and you will be able to get back to business as usual.

6. Perform

Yes, I just said that. You might want to perform and show them how it’s done. Odds are there is at least one thing that you do impressively well. Maybe you’re a writer, a good researcher, a good speaker, a talented artist, or a great cook. Whatever that thing is, double down on it and get to work. Prove to yourself and others that you are not at all impaired by your so-called problem. When you are performing your perfected party trick, surely you’re entitled to a little bit of slack. Sure, this is a thinly veiled version of the old bait and switch move, but as long as you’re performing and you’re looking busy doing it, people will leave you alone.

A final word of encouragement

Now I know what you’re thinking, this seems like a lot of work, but as the saying goes, no pain, no gain, and the payoff will be worth it.

We all have our reasons for holding on to what’s familiar, and there’s no shame in admitting that change is hard.

So let’s have a moment of silence for change—change is inevitable, and deep down, you probably know that. But resisting it doesn’t make you weak or ignorant, it makes you human. We all have our reasons for holding on to what’s familiar, and there’s no shame in admitting that change is hard.

You can take heart in knowing that you don’t have to embrace the chaos of a changing world. With the right mindset—and the right vocabulary—you can navigate the future just as you’ve always navigated the past: slowly, thoughtfully, and preferably the way you always have.

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