There’s an unwritten rule that once a decision is made, it should be set in stone—whether it’s a major life choice, a career path, or simply who you are. But what if we challenged this notion? What if we embraced the idea that change is not only acceptable, but essential, for growth? Today, let’s engage in a conversation that society needs more of—the power of pivoting or changing your mind.

P.S. Prefer to listen? Check out Episode 40 of the Bright Life Podcast: Let’s Normalize the Pivot.

Permission Around Changing Your Mind

In our culture, there’s a prevailing belief that once you commit to a path, you should stick with it no matter what. This mindset can often lead to feelings of restriction, discontent, and even failure when circumstances change or more aligned opportunities arise.

And yet, growth and evolution are natural parts of life. All of nature evolves. Seasons change every few months. Nature cycles through death and rebirth. As we learn, experience, and interact with the world around us, it’s only natural that our perspectives and aspirations will evolve like the rest of the natural world.

Embracing the Freedom to Pivot

The truth is, it’s not only okay to pivot, but it’s also a sign of progress. If you’re someone who seeks knowledge, explores new horizons, and constantly strives for improvement, it’s only logical that your goals and desires will shift over time. Embracing change allows you to take ownership of your personal journey and empowers you to make decisions that align with your present self, instead of trying to stay who you were 20 years ago.

Examples of Times I’ve Pivoted (That Ended Up Being the Best Thing)

Changing your mind doesn’t mean you’re wavering or being indecisive. It’s a conscious choice to adapt and evolve in response to changing circumstances or newfound insights. Here are a few ways I’ve pivoted that felt scary at the time but were the best things for me.

Pivoting My Wedding

Initially, my husband I thought we wanted a large wedding full of friends, extended family, business contacts, and investors. However, somewhere knee-deep in spreadsheets and guests lists, we realized that what we really wanted was something much more intimate.

We decided to pivot our wedding plans to a long weekend in Mexico with only our siblings, parents, and grandparents, so our two small families got to become one bigger family. We spent the weekend visiting at the pool, taking family to areas that had been meaningful to us over the years, enjoying dinner on a boat at sunset… it was exactly what we wanted, and we’re so grated we changed our mind before sending invites.

Pivoting Locations

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that home isn’t just a physical place. My husband and I have been digital nomads on and off for the past several years. While we spent the majority of our adult life with Seattle as our US home, after the pandemic, we tested out a variety of new cities, from Miami to Austin to Denver.

While other people say they would feel overwhelmed imagining so many moves, for us travel is one of our favorite parts of life. We love meeting new people and relish taking those friendships with us, inviting friends to new places, and cultivating life-long friendships with people from around the world.

Pivoting Business Models

Professionally, my journey has seen its share of pivots too. I started out in the realm of health coaching, pouring my heart into the wellness industry. But as time passed, I realized that my favorite parts of my day weren’t in the back-to-back phone calls, but more so creating content for my clients.

So, I pivoted from health coaching to health writing. And when I did, my business tripled, I was able to work from anywhere (a major plus for someone who loves travel) and I was able to reach even more people with my words.

Pivoting to Your Evolution

Pivoting isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a testament to your ability to learn, adapt, and make choices that serve your evolving self. Maya Angelou’s wise words, “When you know better, you do better,” hold true. Every experience, even if it leads to a pivot, contributes to your personal growth and wisdom.

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So, if you’re feeling restless or uncertain about your current path, remember this: the urge to grow and evolve is a fundamental aspect of being human. Rather than fearing change, lean into it. Trust your intuition and follow your heart.

Let’s normalize changing your mind. Let’s acknowledge that it’s okay to change course, to adapt, and to redefine our paths. The belief that we must stick rigidly to our first choices is an outdated notion that limits our potential. Instead, consider change as an invitation to explore new avenues, embrace fresh perspectives, and embrace the evolving narrative of your life.

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P.S. More on this topic: Pivoting to Your True Passion Feat. Kristine Munro and Encouragement for Changing Careers, Industries, or Businesses Feat. Julia Hickman.