Acknowledging When It’s Time For Change

To say that I’ve grown a lot over the last few years of my life is a major understatement.

There was a point not too long ago, following my completion of a very rigid bachelor’s degree program, when I was living the lifestyle of a hippie.

For the first time in quite a while, I was allowed the freedom to loosen up, explore, and have fun. So, I lived the life of a creative vagabond for a while—I moved 1,000 miles away to the beach, grew out my hair and beard, met wonderful new people, played music, read poetry at open mic nights, and learned to speak Spanish fluently. Overall, I spent my days traveling and following my heartfelt curiosities.

This was also the period of my life when I learned yoga, began to understand the value of alternative medicine, and truly embraced the importance of community. (I’ll share more about this chapter of my life in a later post.)

During that time, I was finally able to let go.

I was finally able to release the mental and physical tensions that had stacked up in my body over the course of undergrad.

I was finally able to do the “inner work” and deconstruct the socially-programmed hesitations that held me back from fully living.

I was finally able to engage with life on the deepest of levels to consciously shape a new way of being for myself.

Yet at the same time, I began to realize I was losing my balance. I became extremely creative and open to new experiences, but I lacked structure and direction. I was simply floating—wandering, unsure of how to utilize my newly found knowledge and insight…

The Buddhists have a metaphor:

They speak of the realm of the gods, where dazzling pleasure and ease surround those who dwell there. Over time, these beings grow so comfortable that they forget their good fortune is temporary and they neglect their highest task of awakening. When the good karma that placed them there is finally exhausted, they descend into the lower hell realms of suffering.

This potent image is a reminder that even the sweetest periods of life can end in pain if not lived with conscious awareness.

In other words, to avoid unnecessary suffering, we must be willing to embrace the kind that comes from structure, challenge, discipline, and direction. Structure forms the walls of the home that is our mind and body, creating a foundation of security and safety. This process of building our inner home fosters an environment where both we and those around us can genuinely grow and flourish.

In my scenario, without these types of self-imposed structures, my existence was beginning to become pretty painful: I ran out of money, didn’t have a solid place to live, and was becoming neurotic.

It was time for change.

With the support and encouragement of my loving family and friends, I made some big life decisions:

I began to pick up the pieces of my life that I had lazily let fall to the floor;

I decided to enroll in a Master’s degree program for my dream career as a Mental Health Counselor;

and I dedicated myself to my own entrepreneurial endeavors.

Looking back even further, I’ve grown from a quiet, naïve kid in a small rural town into a semi-functional adult with a fair share of confidence and self-awareness. I’m truly encouraged by how much I’ve opened myself to the world.

I now recognize that change is indeed possible, even if I make some missteps along the way…

In fact, change is the only Truth of life. The tides are ceaselessly shifting, and I’m gradually learning that I can either struggle and resist them, or I can opportunely learn to ride the waves that come my way.

Today, a new wave is here, and it’s time for change once more…

I’ve been writing under the blog name Clarity. for nearly two years now, focusing mainly on the topics of psychology, spirituality, and personal growth. This project has been a wonderful creative outlet for me, helping me discipline my analytical mind, refine my ability to think, and become more intentional in how I communicate.

More recently, however, Clarity. has felt more constraining than liberating.

For me, the blog title Clarity. still brings to mind that period in my life when I was aimlessly wandering and searching for clarity within myself. To be frank, it also carries traces of adolescent egocentrism and arrogance, subtly implying that I know more than those around me or that I am somehow the gatekeeper of mental clarity.

Clarity. now feels more like speaking through a mask of the past rather than genuinely showing up as myself in the present day, expressing my thoughts and ideas on the topics of counseling, psychology, and life itself. The title has become convoluted and feels as though I’m trying to maintain an entirely separate identity.

I no longer want to write from that place.

I simply want to be myself.

So, from this point forward, I will be writing solely under my name, Max Komes (surname pronounced Kohm-ess).

This shift from Clarity. to Max Komes may appear simple—and that's exactly the point. I'm beginning to understand that embracing simplicity means also embracing maturation. Simplicity creates space in my life to focus on what truly matters: health, family, community, service, leisure, nature, and spiritual connection.

This transition also allows me to feel like I can truly be myself, creating space for a deeper expression of my unique voice in the world. It reflects that I am always changing and evolving, and that I wish to share that journey with those around me.

Moving forward, I’m going to be making this blog a bit more personal.

I plan to fill it with experiences from my own mental health journey, stories from the people I've worked with in the field, as well as scientific discoveries and practical insights. My intention isn't to position myself as an authority, but rather as a fellow human being navigating my own challenges while genuinely seeking to understand the human experience.

I am learning and growing every day—and I do my best to lead by example.

Throughout my life, I've always admired and connected with psychologists, philosophers, and contemplatives. Deep thinking is baked into my personality in this way.

That said, my work is a genuine extension of who I am, and I only wish to sink more deeply into that—growing more content in myself with each passing day.

I believe that this life we've been given is meant to be listened to, cherished, and enjoyed, not ignored, exploited, and conquered as humanity tends to do. It's about genuinely engaging with it as it unfolds, whatever challenges it may bring. This is what the great philosopher Alan Watts meant when he said we should “stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence.”

This sense of presence, from what I've experienced, is where true healing comes from.

May this small corner of the world become a genuine space of healing for you and others who find their way here.

Change isn't easy, but it's perhaps the most familiar and rewarding thing we can experience.

Let’s navigate it here—together.

Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com

Max Komes is a mental health professional and philosopher based in Pensacola, Florida. His writing mixes the science of clinical psychology with the spirit of contemplative practice, discussing the timeless themes of compassion, interconnection, and human flourishing.

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The reflections of Max Komes are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have imminent mental health concerns, please call 1-800-NAMI.