The Only Constant We Can Count On… Is Change

Radical acceptance, resilience, and what to do when life throws you a curveball

Being a therapist means having the privilege of being part of the highest and lowest moments of my clients’ lives. I have the privilege of sitting in the pain they bring with them to session after a loss, disappointment, or tragedy. I also have the privilege of being present with them when they recognize the effort it took to achieve a goal. To hear about the college acceptance letters, and marriage proposals, and new babies, and celebrations in their lives.

There is a theme across all of the good, bad, and ugly moments in life.

Where we are in the present sometimes feels inevitable. Like things will never change. For better or worse.

But that just isn’t true.

Life is many things. But unchanging just isn’t one of them.

Inevitable Change

The idea of change can feel terrifying when you are in a moment of peace and happiness. Why would we want anything to disrupt that? It can feel unlikely when you are stuck in a place you don’t want to be, with no clear pathway out. When the weight of life feels heavy, it can also feel permanent. Our brain starts to believe that this is simply the way things are and the way they will remain.

But here is what I know from years of witnessing life’s ups and downs from my therapy chair.

Nothing stays the same forever.

Not the pain. Not the joy. Not the struggle. Not the ease.

In fact, the moments that feel most constant are often the ones most likely to be on the verge of change.

Change isn’t just an idea. It is an inevitability.

And we can fight that. Or we can accept it.

Radical Acceptance

Acceptance doesn’t have to mean agreement. In fact, we can accept things we absolutely detest as true. As fact. As the reality of our circumstances, regardless of how we feel about them.

Radical Acceptance is just that. An acknowledgment of reality. The truth. Without judgment. Without the exhausting weight of denial.

It is what it is.

And that is not giving up. We don’t stop at “it is what it is.” We keep going. Intentionally. With strength and conviction. Without the burden of fighting reality.

Hand in hand, we accept the reality and move forward with action steps to make a change. Just because change is inevitable does not mean we don’t have any control over it.

It Is In Your Hands

The other misconception about Radical Acceptance is that to accept something is to be resigned to it.

That is false.

Acceptance simply shifts our mindset so we no longer waste energy denying the reality in front of us. We no longer fight against what we already know to be true. Acceptance gives us our power back. It gives us the time, the energy, the fight to begin building our new path, brick by brick.

Change will come without warning.
Roadblocks will pop up when you least expect them.
Life will throw you curveball after curveball.

It’s OK.

You can handle it. You are strong enough. Powerful enough. Smart enough. Determined enough.

You ARE enough.

You can get through it.

Change will come. You will respond.

Will you allow life’s unexpected nature to take from you?

Or will you see its inevitability as an opportunity to grow?

About The Author

Amanda Marshall, Ph.D., NCSP

Dr. Marshall is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist, and the founder of Inspire Psychology, a private psychology practice serving adolescents, adults, and families across New Jersey, New York, and PSYPACT participating jurisdictions. She specializes in neurodivergent experiences, executive functioning, learning differences, anxiety, depression, OCD, and life transitions. Her approach is grounded in acceptance — helping people understand their own minds with curiosity rather than judgment. If something here resonated, you can learn more or schedule a free 15-minute consultation at inspirepsycnj.com