It’s All Change Around Here…

Lately, it feels like everything is shifting.

Even when we plan for it, change has a way of shaking things up. It can be chosen or unexpected, welcome or unsettling - sometimes all at once. A shift in routine, environment, or identity can leave us feeling unsteady, even when we know it's a step forward. And in those in-between moments, we're often reminded that growth rarely feels tidy.

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Psychology and change

I've just moved house, and even though it was a positive shift, it still knocked me sideways. The boxes, the new routines, the missing mugs, and helping my girls settle into a new school. There's something disorienting about leaving behind the familiar, even when the unfamiliar holds promise. I kept thinking: Why does something I wanted still feel so unsettling?

Psychologically, change triggers a sense of uncertainty, which our brains naturally interpret as a potential threat. It's why transitions, even positive ones, can feel emotionally complex. We're wired to seek out stability, but we also need movement to grow. The discomfort is part of the process, not a sign we're doing it wrong, but a sign that we're human. Researchers often refer to this as the "neutral zone" in change: that odd in-between space where the old has gone but the new hasn't fully formed.

It's also where transformation often begins.

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Micro-moments of meaning

If you've been experiencing change or uncertainty, here's a coaching reflection that might help (it's been helping me over the past couple of months).

When everything feels in flux, try noticing one small moment that feels meaningful today.

Psychologists call these micro moments of meaning - brief, everyday experiences that give us a sense of connection, purpose, or presence. They don't need to be profound to be powerful. In fact, they're often so small and embedded into our everyday lives that we can easily miss them.

→ Reflection moment

✨ What's one micro moment of meaning you've noticed recently?

It might be a conversation, a pause, a ritual, or even the decision to begin again.

Here's a picture of one of my micro-moments of meaning this week, a beautiful beach scene (our new life by the sea really is gorgeous - even if I have been a bit unsettled!).

😍

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Resources to help

Here are some resources that have helped me navigate change, transitions and uncertainty over the years.

1. 📘 Transitions by William Bridges

   This classic (the OG book on change in my opinion) explores what really happens during change - not just the logistics, but the psychological shifts underneath. The idea of the “neutral zone” (that odd space where the old is gone but the new hasn’t quite arrived) has stayed with me. If you’re in-between, it’s a gentle companion.

2. 🎧 Desert Island Discs – Malala Yousafzai

   Malala speaks with such warmth and wisdom about life-altering change, finding her voice, and holding on to purpose through disruption. Her story is extraordinary, but her reflections feel deeply human. It’s a quiet reminder of the strength we carry even when we don’t feel ready.

3. 💬 Erin Shrimpton on LinkedIn

   Erin shares evidence-based and accessible strategies to navigate change and complexity at work and in life. Her posts are clear, practical, and grounded in psychology - even as a fellow psychologist I feel like I'm always learning from Erin. As a side note, Erin is also a brilliant psychologist in real life, she's my podcast co-host and friend.

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New newsletter experience 🤗

My experience of change lately doesn't just relate to a house move. You may have noticed this newsletter is coming to you from Substack - a totally new platform for me to learn about and get my head around. I've moved over to Substack to share ideas in a more personal, reflective way - less algorithm, more intention (I'm hoping!).

I'll be honest - this is a bit of an experiment. I'm still finding my way around Substack, and I've probably overthought this more than I needed to (two months of overthinking / procrastination, to be precise). But sometimes the best way to figure something out is to simply begin. And who knows, perhaps a future edition of this newsletter will explore the psychology behind procrastination.

Each week, I'll write about what matters when it comes to mindset, resilience, connection, and finding meaning in the moments that don't always make headlines. Next week, I'll explore what it means to start again without having to reinvent yourself.

If this resonates, I'd love to know:

👉 What's changing for you right now?

Feel free to reply or share in the comments, and let me know what's on your mind when it comes to navigating the wild chaos of everyday life. I'll do my best to create helpful articles.

Until next week,

Gemma