How to let people know that you've decided to change

You’ve decided: you’re changing.

You’re not going to argue with your husband, anymore.
You’re not going to stay late to work, anymore.
You’re changing careers.
You’re selling everything and moving to Italy.
You’re going to quit drinking, smoking, over-eating, using a substance.

Sometimes, you can just…change. Do it, and people take notice and that’s all you need to do.

Other times, people give you the merest bit of shit about changing. If they’re not being direct in their criticisms of your new behavior, they’ll communicate by raising an eyebrow, making jokes, talking about what you’re doing to everyone but you, or upping the ante and trying to get you to revert to your old behavior by providing you with tempting triggers.

You have two choices: Either pretend not to notice all of these things and continue with your changes, or clue the person in that you’re changing, that’s where this train is headed, and they can get on board or they can watch it pass them by.

If you don’t want to pretend not to notice passive-aggressive behavior, then you get to say something about it. And if you say something about it, then here are a few options:

Option One

Speech: The Train is Leaving the Station

Chances of this going well? Low.
Why? Because most people don’t like being abruptly told that things are going to change and “If you don’t like it, too bad.” Note that this is probably the most frequent way that people approach telling someone about a proposed change, and unfortunately, this conversation is often labeled as “courageous.”

Really, it’s just fear, shouting loudly and hoping to intimidate someone else into not protesting.

It sounds something like: “From here on out, I’m planning to do ___________ differently. I’ll be [insert behavior change]. I hope you’re on board with that, because that’s where I’m headed.”

Option Two

Speech: Pretend The Change Isn’t A Big One

Chances of this going well? In the short-term, okay. This speech is all about minimizing the bigness of the change that is to come, by pretending as though it’s something still being negotiated, not a change that you’ve firmly decided on.

It sounds something like: “I’d like to make these changes. What do you think? Can we work together on that? Give me your feedback.”

In the long-term, this approach can go south, because giving someone the impression that they are allowed to make decisions about the changes you’re intending to make can only work for so long. It’s a bit like saying to someone who’s in love with you, “I’d like to break up. What do you think? Can we work together on that?” The person who’s in love with you is going to hear that and think that there’s still some chance of maintaining the status quo–not good if you’re clear that you’re ready to move on.

Option Three

Speech: Here’s What I’ve Realized

Chances of going well: Good, if you keep the focus on yourself.

(Note: This is the one that I recommend.)

It sounds like: “I’ve realized that I have a tendency to ____________, and when I do that, there’s [insert negative consequences of your tendency to ________]. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do differently, and I’ve decided that from here on out, I want to [insert your behavior changes].”

Note how well this speech can work, with so many different scenarios:

“I’ve realized that I have a tendency to nag at you and this starts arguments, and when I do that, there’s less connection between us. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do differently, and I’ve decided that from here on out, I want to stop and take a breath whenever we start to get into an argument, maybe even pause and leave the room until I’m calm and know I can talk without being combative.”

“I’ve realized that I have a tendency to not live in the present moment, and when I do that, there’s this lack of fulfillment in my life. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do differently, and I’ve decided that from here on out, I want to sell my stuff and live in Bali at an ashram for six months, and then figure out what my next step is, from there.”

“I’ve realized that I have a tendency to drink too much, and when I do that, there’s inevitably a hangover the next day, and the people around me are starting to comment on it. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do differently, and I’ve decided that from here on out, I want to stop drinking and start attending AA meetings.”

“I’ve realized that I have a tendency to stay at work late, and when I do that, there’s a real impact on my family, how well I’m sleeping, and my stress levels. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do differently, and I’ve decided that from here on out, I want to leave work on time every day, and only occasionally work late, and I’m open to coordinating with the other members of our team so that we can figure out how to make sure that everything gets done.”

They Get To Choose

The only way Option Three goes well is if you understand that the other person gets to choose.

You can make the big, mature speech to your husband about not arguing, anymore–and he might agree now but argue, later. Or he might immediately debate with you and tell you how everything’s your fault. Or he might shrug, and you’ll realize that secretly, you were attached to the idea that if you made this big, mature speech, he’d realize how he’s done it all wrong and he’d apologize and you’d fall in love, again.

May or may not happen.

You can make the mature speech about how you’ve decided to sell your shit and move to an ashram, and your family might still think you’re nuts, might still talk about you behind your back, might still be dramatic about illnesses to guilt you into staying. Or, they might passive-aggressively stonewall, pretending “not to care” since “obviously, you don’t care.” Sniff!

May or may not happen.

You can tell your friends that you’ve decided to quit drinking, and they might still invite you out to the bar. You can tell your job that you’ve decided to quit working late, and your boss might retaliate by passing you over for good assignments, making passive-aggressive comments about your change in meetings, pitting co-workers against one another, or straight-up telling you that you can’t leave late and that’s that.

They get to choose.

You making the big, mature speech isn’t about getting a result from someone else.

It’s about communicating in a way that doesn’t steamroll over people, or manipulate anyone into being okay with your decisions by pretending as if the decisions haven’t been made.

Sticking To It

The hard part of change isn’t going to be what you tell other people, even though that might feel like the hard part.

The hard part is whether or not you’ll stick to it.

Will you drop your desired changes like it’s hot, based on how others respond? Will you get sucked into the same, tired arguments?

Or, will you practice the courage of your convictions, sticking to the changes that you know are best for you, even if they’re not the best for someone else?

The Final Speech

The final speech isn’t a speech, exactly. It’s listening and allowing someone else’s feelings. It sounds something like: “I’m committed to this change. Tell me about what’s concerning you, and if there’s a way to work something out while I’m also able to stay committed to the changes I want to make, I’d like to work together with you.”

The person might initially need to vent (so you just listen and let them get it out).

Then: “Let’s take it one specific concern at a time. What’s just one thing?”

If you can look at one thing at a time, and if you are both communicating respectfully, there’s a chance of working together.

If respect isn’t happening, then it might be time to reiterate your earlier speech: “I’ve really thought about [this behavior that I want to change.] I see [these negative consequences.] I’m committed to [changing in this way.]”

Lather, rinse, repeat.

And sometimes, despite your best intentions, you walk away. That’s tough. There’s a lot to grieve, in that.

The conversations that open you up to the possibility that it won’t work out, that there will be something to work for and something to grieve, are actually the conversations that are most courageous. Those are the conversations that allow for two humans to meet each other, somewhere, both just wanting to get needs met. Both just hoping for love.