Matthias Barbonius said “Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis”: “All things change, and we change with them.” We’ve all heard and laughed at today’s maxim that “change is the only constant in life” because we all know it to be true, and Ariane de Bonvoisin keeps it as a kind of personal mantra. It’s no wonder: she’s been through changes that would make an army brat’s head spin. At a time when most of us are making obligatory trips to D.C. and wondering how we’ll ever understand Romeo and Juliet, Ariane made it across three continents and learned four languages. She has moved on to work for the biggest corporate names in the U.S., leaving aside enough time to indulge in activities most of us only dream of (scaling Kilimanjaro, for one). There may not be a better mediator—or advocate—for healthy change.

Ariane must use this story to inspire. Her uncommonly close bond with changes great and small encouraged Ariane to begin a new career path in order to help us get through changes. Realizing there was no place for the troubled person to look when faced with change, Ariane began interviewing and researching, finding that we experience changes in almost predictable ways. She recognized common weaknesses (“change demons”) and strengths impeding or facilitating the paths of people “who successfully navigate change.” With this knowledge in hand, Ariane developed First30Days.com, a website with guides for any change: whether you want to go green, reduce your debt, or even make that frightening transition from PC to Mac, Ariane and her advisers will help you make that first step and keep you on track.

In her new book, The First 30 Days, Ariane teaches us to accept and work within change, to change for the better with every transition through affirmations and mantras, checklists and writing excercises. We invited Ariane to share with us the conception and evolution of her newest venture.

What prompted you to search for that nonexistent "company dedicated to
helping people through change"? You've been through so much change in your
life; it's hard to believe you would have been looking for your own benefit.

Everyone I was meeting was either going through a change, secretly wanted to make a change or was helping someone through a change. I figured, hmm, change is the number one thing guaranteed to happen in life, we all find change hard and there isn't a company or a brand whose mission is to help people through life changes. That was the “aha” moment. Also, change was part of my DNA; growing up in 6 countries, you learn to get good at change. Change is the most important life skill to get good at. Same for businesses.

Why did you begin your research into the process of change? Have you always
had a hunch that everyone has a troubling first thirty days?

I interviewed everyone I met who shared a life change with me, asked them questions, and began to see a pattern in what made someone good at change and someone else struggle with change. I saw nine principles that kept on reappearing in all my research. As far as the first 30 days go, I had been at a new job and was journaling about the first month, what I was feeling, my fears, issues, questions. I realized that in the first 30 days is when all the questions show up, the negative emotions, the stress, the worry, looking around for information—it's when we need to make some decisions. It's also the right amount of time to really get started and stay started with a new change.

One blogger recently kindly stated, believing you to be in your mid-twenties, that "40 additional years may season Ms. de Bonvoisin's optimism" (JollyJo.org). What do you say to this?

I am flattered. I am in my mid 30s, actually. I would say that some of the most optimistic people I have met have gone through the hardest life changes and experiences, so optimism is a choice, not a matter of years or what tough challenges have come someone's way. Optimism is the most important determinant of how someone gets through a change. Looking for the positive in something has been the main foundation of my approach in life, no matter what happens. I would also say that joy, happiness and optimism come from a place inside a person and are not dependent on life years, when you feel connected to a higher purpose.

You place great importance on one's need to connect to some higher power—to
our "friends upstairs"—in order to ease the anxiety and negativity we
associate with change.? How did you discover this?
My connection to the Divine has been strong since I was a teenager. I have been a seeker of truth and knowledge for decades. I place great importance on being quiet, going inside for wisdom and direction, listening to my intuition and Higher Self, meditating, yoga, being in tune with my physical body. Everyday I see and feel signs that I am being guided, that I am not alone, that there is something bigger going on that what we can see with our limited mind. I have a spiritual coach whom I adore and has been a huge help
in getting me in touch with my spiritual side.

It may be a strange connection, but Alcoholics Anonymous asks the same thing
of its members: why do you think it is so important for us to believe in
that higher power to make changes?

It's important when everything is changing around us, to look for that part of ourselves that doesn't change, that is inside, always there. There is a peace and inner calm that comes from knowing that life is on our side, that we are not alone, that we are all connected. I believe we are much more powerful, intuitive, resilient than we think, that we have greatness inside of us, that our ability to create, think, love is very powerful. My source of strength is and will always be my connection to a higher source, the light, my soul, the divine, whatever we all call it.

The idea of First30Days is perfectly suited to Web format: why bother with
print?

I want to make sure First30Days reaches people wherever they are going through change—on radio, print, TV, etc. When going through change, sometimes you do want to retreat with a book, think about things, underline it. It's a safe place to go that has some emotion attached to it. Sometimes, this is harder to create on the web.

Can you tell us about the experience of developing First30Days.com in
general? What have you personally learned from the website and members?

This was a big life change for me from being in the corporate world for ten years to becoming an entrepreneur and an author. My biggest demon was myself, my own fears or limitations. It took a while for me to believe I could really do this. The best part has been feeling fully aligned with my calling, my passion, what I am here to be doing in the world and to make a daily difference in peoples lives. I have also been in awe at the help and people that have shown up to help me and this dream. I've personally learned that we are all a lot more similar than we are different, especially when it comes to how we navigate change. That we need to all accept change, not resist it and flow with the river of life not against it.

The Alpha Five:
1. Name one piece of work--novel, painting, movie, etc.--that really
influenced/motivated you. Explain how/why.

Shawshank Redemption—a testament to the power of the human spirit and
courage. And patience!

2. What is the biggest challenge/obstacle you have encountered thus far?

Starting this business—facing my fears, raising money, shifting my identity
to an entrepreneur and author, etc.

3. What is your biggest regret?

Not following through with my swimming and going to the Olympics.

4. Describe what you envision your life to be like in 10 years-what has
changed, what has stayed the same?

I will be a mom of some healthy and happy kids and a loving wife to a fabulous man. I will be contributing at the highest level to society and the world.

5. What is the one piece of advice that you feel has been the most valuable
to you and which you would like to pass on to others?

From any change, even the hardest ones, something good will come!

Ariane will be in Chicago on June 4—she will keep us updated on the time and location in her blog (http://www.first30days.com/ariane). In the meantime, peruse some of Ariane’s work at http://www.first30days.com, and in her new book The First 30 Days, available now—and keep an eye out for her own Alpha blog!