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Life Has Changed—Have You?

There’s something sobering about how life ushers us into new seasons—quietly at first, then all at once. Recently, I got braces. What I thought would just be a cosmetic fix quickly turned into a full lifestyle shift. Suddenly, I couldn’t eat the way I used to. The crunchy samosas from that butchery on my way home? Out. Roasted maize from the street corner? Forget it. Even brushing my teeth became a 10-minute routine involving special brushes, floss, mouthwash, and caution.

But the hardest part wasn’t even the food. It was the little joys I used to give myself: grabbing an iced Americano and some chips after a long day, taking myself for nyama choma on a solo date. Now I have to think twice. What if that crunchy bite breaks a wire? What if I end up spending more at the dentist?

And then there’s the constant dryness. I now carry Vaseline everywhere because my lips are always cracked. Between the bruises on my cheeks, the ache in my jaw, and the sacrifices in my diet—it’s not glamorous. But it’s necessary.

Here’s the truth I’ve learned: even when the deal is good, you can still suffer. Braces are a good deal—they’re working. But the discomfort is real. And that’s how most transitions in life are. Marriage, promotions, healing, parenthood, even success—it can be a blessing and a bruise at the same time.

It made me reflect: how often do we resist changing with the season we’re in? Even when not changing makes things harder.

1. When the Commute No Longer Makes Sense

We’ve all heard or seen this story: someone who now earns a stable income, perhaps even has some rental property or savings, but still commutes from Rongai, Juja, or Kangundo Road into the CBD every day. Two hours in, two hours out. Rain, sun, or jam. They spend more on fare over time than they would adjusting their life to this new season. But the mentality of “this is how I’ve always done it” persists.

And yet, in this new phase of life—where time is money, and energy is precious—a four-hour commute no longer makes sense. Maybe you’re no longer hustling just to survive; maybe now it’s time to buy time back for yourself and your loved ones. But that shift in thinking is hard. It feels unfamiliar.

2. The Hustler Who Outgrows the Grind

We’ve all met the person running three side hustles while working a full-time job. Respect. But at some point, the hustle should lead to growth. You can’t still be the one buying stock, selling, delivering, and posting on social media five years in. Growth demands delegation. It demands systems.

But many people—especially in Kenya where self-reliance is prized—struggle to let go. What was once resourcefulness becomes inefficiency. Burnout creeps in. Progress stalls.

3. The Body Is Speaking, But Are You Listening?

Another shift that’s hard to accept: when your body enters a new season. Maybe you can’t party till 3 a.m. and still function at work. Maybe that arthritis flare-up or that hypertension warning means you have to change how you eat or move.

Yet many of us ignore the signs. We say, “Ah, niko sawa,” even when we’re not. We keep pushing, keep eating the same, living the same—until a health scare forces us to pause. And by then, the cost is higher.

4. The Changing Nature of Joy

Back to the braces. One of the strangest challenges was realizing I had to rethink how I gave myself joy. For me, joy was food. Dates with myself. Coffee at my favorite spot. That celebratory crunchy chicken after a small win. Braces took that from me—at least temporarily.

It made me reflect: in every season, our sources of joy sometimes have to evolve. The small treats that worked before may no longer serve us—or may cost us more than they give. That doesn’t mean joy ends. It just means it has to adapt.

So now, maybe my solo joy comes in the form of a good book on a park bench, a slow walk listening to music, or buying flowers from the guy outside Archives. It’s different. But still joy.

Why Do We Resist These Shifts?

  • Fear of the unknown – Change feels like stepping into the dark.

  • Comfort in routine – Even when it’s inconvenient, the familiar feels safe.

  • Stubborn independence – "I've managed before, I’ll manage now."

  • Lack of reflection – Sometimes we don’t even notice that life has changed.

How to Embrace the Season You're In

  1. Pause and Assess
    What has changed? In your body, finances, energy levels, relationships? What used to work that no longer does?

  2. Adapt with Intention
    You don’t need to throw everything out. Just shift. Ask: What does this season require of me?

  3. Find New Joys
    If you can’t enjoy life the way you used to, how can you enjoy it now? What alternatives still feed your soul?

  4. Invest in Ease
    Sometimes, the price of convenience is worth paying—because stress is more expensive in the long run.

The Cost of Resisting Change

  • Missed opportunities for rest or connection

  • Preventable health issues

  • Lost time that could’ve been used more meaningfully

  • Financial strain from clinging to outdated habits

The season has changed. Whether it’s your teeth, your time, your health, or your bank account—change is here. And if we’re wise, we’ll change with it. Because joy, progress, and peace are often on the other side of that shift.

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