Hyphenated-Homestead

There’s a strange tension in the air lately. You can sense it online and offline, especially when people talk about AI.

I’ve seen it in conversations, in side-eyes, even in subtle digs: “Oh, they probably used AI for that…” As if using a tool or technology responsibly suddenly makes someone less human.

But underneath that skepticism, I sense something deeper: Fear. Resistance. A subtle grief for the way things were or maybe resentment to see a sought out skill merely 5 years ago, now becoming a commonplace commodity?

The Change Curve: We All Move Through It (Some Just Get Stuck)

If you’ve ever experienced a change (and who hasn’t?), you’ve probably moved through what psychologists call the “change curve.” It has three stages:

1. Endings – where denial, fear, or resistance show up
2. Transition (Neutral Zone) – where skepticism/confusion and initial learning/acceptance collide
3. New Beginnings – where enthusiasm, innovation, and hope take root

Lately, I’ve noticed that those taking public swipes at AI aren’t really critiquing technology, they’re practically stuck in the ending zone. There’s fear. There’s loss. And most of all, there’s uncertainty about what the future looks like.

But change doesn’t wait for our comfort. It nudges us forward whether we like it or not.

My Personal Change Curriculum (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Optional)

Change and I? We’ve been on a first-name basis since forever.

• Changing homes
• Competing in fierce and unforgiving academic environment without shortcuts
• Crossing continents for a better life
• Losing both parents (very!) early
• Navigating layoffs, corporate restructures, mergers, new cities, you name it 😊
• Adapting to people, cultures, and systems unlike mine

Each moment taught me something crucial: the faster I acknowledge the change; the sooner I find peace within it. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. And it sure doesn’t mean everyone has to be enthusiastic about every new technology.

But AI, like the internet, mobile phones, and social media before it, is a tidal wave. You can try to outrun it, or you can learn to surf.

This Is Not About AI. It’s About Attitude.

The ability to smile, to stay open, and to learn, especially when it’s hard, is a superpower in today’s world.

Your Turn

What zone are you in when it comes to change these days? Still grieving the ending? Learning in transition? Or cautiously stepping into your new beginning?

Wherever you are – it’s okay. Just don’t stop moving.

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