The Struggle of Change: Even Leaves Take Their Time

As I walked along the trail, I spotted a branch that perfectly summed up my life- half clinging to the past, half diving headfirst into change. Some leaves were still hanging on to their bright summer green, while others had already gone full autumn, flaunting their fiery oranges and reds like they were ready for a seasonal photoshoot. I couldn’t help but relate. Change is weird like that- it never happens all at once. One part of me is still holding on to old habits, while another part is already embracing new challenges (mostly because I have no choice). There’s always that in-between stage, where you’re neither here nor there, just hovering in transition. It’s a strange feeling, standing in the middle of what was and what’s coming next.

I stared at one leaf that seemed particularly indecisive, half-green, half-orange, and thought, Yep, I feel you. It was as if it couldn’t quite make up its mind like it wanted to stay in summer but knew autumn was calling. I could almost hear it saying, Just a little longer, I am not ready yet. And honestly, I get it. Who really ever feels ready for change?

The thing about seasons is that they don’t wait for anyone. Leaves don’t get to decide when they will turn, and I suppose, neither do we. Change arrives when it’s time, whether we are excited, terrified, or somewhere in between. And sure, we can resist it, holding on with all our might to what’s familiar. But eventually, the wind picks up, and even the most stubborn leaves have to let go.

I’ve had my fair share of those moments- times when I have resisted change, convinced that if I held on tightly enough, things would stay the same. But life doesn’t work that way. Change comes in different forms. Sometimes it’s exciting, like stepping into a new opportunity. Other times, it’s uncomfortable, like outgrowing something you once loved. But whether we welcome it or not, it keeps happening.

And maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Because as much as I loved the green of summer, I had to admit, the orange and red were pretty breathtaking. Change has a way of surprising us like that. What feels uncertain at first can turn into something unexpectedly beautiful.

I remember a time when I was stuck in the middle of a big life decision. I knew I had outgrown where I was, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what was next. I kept second-guessing myself, wondering if it was the right time, and if I had what it took if I would regret the decision later. But looking back, I realize that there never really is a "right time." There’s just time. And it keeps moving whether you’re ready or not.

We tend to think of change as something we need to control, but nature doesn’t work that way. The leaves don’t ask permission to turn colors, the trees don’t overthink when to shed them, and the seasons don’t stop just because we’re not prepared. Things evolve, move forward, and transform- whether we go with the flow or fight against it.

The more I watched those leaves, the more I realized that maybe change isn’t about choosing when to let go. Maybe it’s about trusting that when the time comes, we will. I took a deep breath, letting the cool autumn air fill my lungs. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, whispering reminders of impermanence. Change doesn’t have to be rushed, but it also shouldn’t be feared. Sometimes, it’s okay to be in that in-between space, just like that half-green, half-orange leaf.

As I continued walking down the trail, I smiled to myself. The seasons were shifting, and so was I. And maybe, just maybe, I was more ready than I thought.