sound of waves—and of course, Kohrs Frozen Custard. That soft-serve cone isn’t just ice cream;
it’s a staple of life. It’s the marker that says, summer is officially here. For me, Kohrs was non-
negotiable. Always my favorite. Always the same order.
Then one summer, my boyfriend casually said, “Why don’t you change your favorite?”
Excuse me… why would I do that? Kohrs is my favorite. End of discussion.
But that simple comment stuck with me, and not just about ice cream. From a therapeutic and
mental health perspective, it was actually a powerful invitation. Change, at its core, means
introducing something different into a familiar pattern. It doesn’t mean rejecting what you love.
It means expanding your experience.
In therapy, we often talk about how routines can be both grounding and limiting. Favorites make
us feel safe, but they can also keep our brains on autopilot. When we gently introduce
change—trying a new flavor, taking a different route, responding differently in a
relationship—we activate curiosity. Our senses wake up. Our nervous system learns flexibility
instead of rigidity.
Here’s what healthy change can bring into your life:
1. Emotional resilience – You learn you can tolerate the unfamiliar.
2. Increased self-awareness – You notice your reactions instead of repeating them.
3. Reduced anxiety over time – Novelty teaches your brain that “different” isn’t
dangerous.
4. Greater joy and presence – New experiences heighten engagement.
5. Personal growth – Change creates space for new versions of you.
Kohrs will always be my favorite. That didn’t change. But being open to something new didn’t
take away—it added.
Call to Action for 2026:
As the year begins, ask yourself: What’s one small “favorite” I can gently change—not to lose
comfort, but to expand my well-being? One shift can wake up your whole life.