By Anais Nin
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
"Life is a process of becoming. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it." This Anais Nin quote about change captures something essential about how people experience growth and challenge. Every person, at some point, feels the urge to hold on to comfort or permanence in life, hoping to find a stopping point where everything stays the same. Yet, as Nin subtly suggests, embracing change may be more important than wishing things would remain static. This idea resonates on both a deeply practical and emotional level, encouraging us to reconsider what it means to truly grow.
What Does This Quote Mean?
Anais Nin's words cut straight to the heart of human nature. Her quote, "Life is a process of becoming. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it," directly addresses the temptation people feel to seek stability and fixedness, even when life, by its nature, is always changing. The focus keyword, Anais Nin quote about change, helps highlight the central idea: change is a defining feature of existence.
At a surface level, Nin is saying that life does not stand still. We move through different phases, experiences, and challenges. As we grow older or encounter new situations, we inevitably shift and adapt.
Looking deeper, there is a profound message about the dangers of clinging to any particular state—whether that is emotional comfort, a certain lifestyle, or a fixed way of thinking. Nin suggests that many of our problems arise when we resist this ongoing process and try to "elect a state," meaning we try to stop moving and simply stay wherever feels safest or most familiar. When we do this, we actually hinder our own development and happiness.
The metaphor buried in her words is powerful. Becoming is a process—active, alive, and never quite finished. Trying to select and freeze a single moment or identity is unnatural, because growth emerges from change. Anais Nin reminds us that our fullest lives are lived not by resisting change, but by actively participating in the ongoing journey of who we are becoming.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
Anais Nin's insight can be a valuable daily guide for anyone facing uncertainty or hoping to become more adaptable. Here are practical ways to bring the wisdom of this Anais Nin quote about change into your own routine, attitude, and decisions:
1. Accept Uncertainty in New Roles
Whether you are starting a new job, moving to a new town, or taking on a new responsibility in your family, uncertainty is unavoidable. Instead of wishing you could feel instantly settled or completely capable, remind yourself that growth takes time. Give yourself permission to be a learner and to evolve as you go, rather than clinging to an unrealistic standard of immediate mastery.
2. Let Go of Old Definitions
Many people get stuck trying to define themselves in fixed terms—"I'm shy," "I'm not creative," or "I'm just not good at sports." Nin's words call you to reject those rigid labels. It's possible to change, to surprise yourself, and to grow into qualities you never thought you'd have. By embracing your ability to constantly become, you free yourself from the limits of past beliefs.
3. Embrace Change in Relationships
Relationships with family, friends, and partners are always evolving. Trying to keep them exactly as they once were can lead to frustration or disappointment. Instead, choose to adapt and grow with the people you care about. Celebrate each new stage, whether it's a child's independence, an aging parent's changing needs, or a friend's transformation.
4. Use Setbacks as Fuel for Growth
Failure or rejection can make you long for a time when everything felt easier. Rather than wishing yourself back to a comfortable past, use Nin's message as a reminder that setbacks force you to adapt and develop new strengths. Each time you step through discomfort, you open new possibilities for your own growth.
5. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
A key part of becoming is a willingness to stay curious about yourself and the world. Try something you've never tried before. Read a book about a subject you know nothing about. Take up a hobby just for the joy of exploration. These choices keep you in the habit of change, making you more open and resilient over time.
By living this way, the Anais Nin quote about change becomes not just a clever saying, but a practical philosophy. It encourages you to remain open, to appreciate the journey, and to find meaning in the act of becoming—whatever form it may take.
The Motivation Message
Here is your reminder that you were made to grow, adapt, and shine every step of the way! Life is meant to move—you are too! Don't let the fear of change stop you from becoming who you're meant to be. Every time you allow yourself to transform, you prove your own resilience and courage. It is completely normal to want safety or stillness, but greatness happens outside your comfort zone. 🌱
You've already overcome so much and learned countless things simply by living as yourself. Trust that every season—even the tough ones—is shaping you for something new. When you find yourself longing for everything to stay the same, remember: your power is found in choosing the flow, not resisting it. Life is always unfolding—you get to write the story, scene by scene! Keep embracing the process and celebrate how far you've come. Don't just wish for things to stay comfortable—go create what's next, starting now! 🚀
About Anais Nin
Anais Nin, who was born in 1903 and died in 1977, was a writer and diarist known for her intensely personal explorations of desire, creativity, and self-discovery. Her work spans journals, essays, short stories, and novels, often centered on the complexity of inner life and transformation. Raised in both France and the United States, Anais Nin lived much of her life among artists, thinkers, and writers, immersing herself in the modernist scenes of Paris and New York.
Her worldview was shaped by a belief in constant growth, emotional honesty, and the power of art to reveal essential truths about being human. Anais Nin famously championed the idea that life is not a fixed journey, but an ongoing process of change and self-creation. The quote "Life is a process of becoming. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it" reflects her whole approach to living: bold, adaptive, and deeply invested in what is possible beyond comfort. Through her books and diaries, she continues to inspire readers to embrace change and the endless potential of becoming.
