Change is a friend, not an enemy

By Liesa Witt · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-10-09

A rooftop in Panama City, a sunrise, and a reminder I keep giving myself, change still scares me, and that's exactly why it's worth it.

I'm on the rooftop of my temporary home in Panama City, San Francisco. The skyline stretches out in front of me and the sun is rising.

Despite all this beauty, and the quiet high after an early-morning swim, reality hits me and I am reminded that change never stops feeling scary.

Even after all the moves, all the leaps of faith, sometimes with a plan and sometimes without one, there's always that edge of uncertainty. The fear of the unknown that comes with every change.

I keep thinking about what change actually means to me, and why it still scares me after all these years of it being my constant companion.

For me, change is that moment you see the world differently. You try something new, level up or take a big step back to find your footing again.

So today, standing on a roof in Panama City, here's the reminder I'm giving myself, and you:

Change is a friend, not an enemy.

It's the essence of growth, the force that challenges us to learn, adapt, and discover new possibilities.

Every meaningful step forward starts with uncertainty. Let this be a reminder that growth rarely happens inside the comfort of the familiar.

So let's embrace it. Because the view from the other side?

Worth it.