I was born and raised in Southern California and by the time my wife and I had settled our young family in Santa Barbara (aka Paradise), I swore we would never leave.  Nine years later we moved to Niwot, Colorado (aka God’s Country).  The scripted answer to “Why?” centered on a job offer that was too good to pass up, but there was also an element of adventure to a fresh start in another state.   We certainly felt some trepidation over such a major change, but I still point to the decision as proof that I am not a Tropophobe. 

Tropophobia – the fear of moving – is often associated with the more general fear of change known as Metathesiophobia.  Unfortunately change is unavoidable.  Ben Franklin once said, “When you are finished changing, you are finished.”  There are scores of seminars and therapy sessions devoted to change.  In a workshop on coping with change at a former employer, I learned that there are three types of people in our ever-changing world – those who make things happen, those who wait to see what happens, and those who wonder what happened.  The best way to conquer change, the speaker said, is to be that first guy.

Evolution has hard-wired us to prefer the same old way over the scary new way in nearly everything.  In moderation, this inclination protects us and provides a reassuring feeling of mastery over our environment.  Out of control, Metathesiophobia paralyzes us with emotional distress and destroys our personal and professional lives.  The solution is to embrace change and, if you can’t be the change-maker, at least try to anticipate and adapt quickly. <continue reading>