What really happens when we're constantly exposed to change

Did you ever experience that feeling of being the new kid in school? If so, I’m sure you’ll never forget the butterflies in your stomach, the awkwardness of introducing yourself in front of your new classmates, the struggle to find your place at recess or lunch time. I had the joy of experiencing that a total of fourteen times! Now, fast forward to your adult life. Have you ever experienced a new job, new company, or new city? Doesn't it feel like that same knot in your stomach reappears, disguised only slightly by our “grown up” status? 

For many, any big change brings a chill down their spine. For some, myself included, change has become such a constant that we react a bit differently now when change comes knocking.

What happens when you are constantly exposed to change? Psychology has a fascinating answer through the ‘mere exposure effect.’ It’s the fact that the more we are exposed to something that was once unfamiliar and therefore disliked, the more we grow to appreciate it. 

Think of a picky eater (perhaps your young child!) slowly warming up to a new food. The more they see it, interact with it, the less scary it seems, and eventually, they may even grow to like it! 

The same thing happens with change, initially, it throws us for a loop and our natural instincts tell us we don’t like it, but with repeated exposure, that fear can give way to a sense of familiarity and we find ourselves thinking, “Oh yes, I’ve been here before, I can handle this.” And what’s fascinating is that even though the particular change you’re facing is something completely new, you are able to find some familiarity and therefore comfort (and eventually pleasure!) in the overall aspects of change. It’s not that it’s less scary or uncomfortable, it’s that you more quickly move on to all the benefits you know the change can bring with it.

In my experience, constant exposure to change helps you become:

• Open-minded: Every new context exposes you to different perspectives and makes you more accepting of those alternatives.
• Resilient: The constant challenges and ups and downs of change build an emotional strength and confidence in your ability survive and thrive come what way. 
• Flexible: You learn to adapt to changing situations and not get too thrown off when things don’t go according to plan.

Of course, it’s not all roses and sunshine when we are exposed to change. Too much unsolicited change all at once can create a very negative reaction in us. So, how do we use the mere exposure effect to become Change Masters without getting overwhelmed?

• Adopt a growth mindset: Consider yourself and others a work in progress that learns and evolves through each change. You don’t have to know how to handle a change perfectly in order to embark on the journey, you can learn as you go.
• Embrace the discomfort: Accept that any change will always include a difficult transition that is an inevitable part of the process. The discomfort of change never goes away so be patient with yourself and others when those transitions occur.
• Find your anchors: Hold onto core values, relationships, and routines that give you a sense of grounding so that when everything else changes around you, you feel stability in other aspects of your life.

Being a Change master isn't just about surviving, it's about embracing the challenge, learning from every twist and turn, and growing in unexpected ways. So the next time you find change knocking on your door, consider it as an opportunity to get more familiar with change. This exposure is just one more step in your Change Master journey which will always lead to your growth and evolution!