‘I choose growth. Not for the waistline, obviously’: Samantha Armytage’s big life changes

After switching TV networks, former Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage explains why she is ‘choosing growth’ – and embracing the unknown.

Since the beginning of time, or at least as far back as ancient Greece, people have known that the only constant in life is … change.

Apparently Heraclitus was the first one who worked this out. And though he sounds more like part of the female anatomy than an early Greek philosopher, he hit the spot (excuse the pun), pondering from his Athenian mountaintop that the universe is always in a radical state of flux.

He mused that a person never steps into the same stream twice, and that even rocks are subject to change by the elements over time.

Plato gave him a thumbs up – not a euphemism – for his observations, and the rest, as they say in the classics, is history.

I might mention at this point that fear of change is also a human constant. And so it is that recently – despite having an above-average aversion to change – I’ve stepped into a new river of my own. At the ripe old age of 48, this rock has rolled herself into a new waterway, and she’s feeling very buoyed by the opportunity.

In a new column for Stellar, Samantha Armytage has reflected on the big changes in her career: ‘I’ve not only moved jobs, but switched networks’. Picture: Getty Images

I’ve not only moved jobs, but switched networks. A huge but wonderful change, and a fresh start for act two of my life.

This was a slightly unexpected change, as they often are, and it comes at a time when my world – all the world, really – is in a constant state of rapid movement. That’s a lot going on for a gal who likes her routine.

All of a sudden, everything is changing: hair colour, waistlines, sleep patterns, pelvic floors, skin texture, friends, colleagues, houses, jargon, clothing styles.

And that’s before I’ve even had time to overthink AI coming to take my job, wonder what’s going on in Tay Tay and Travis’s relationship or get to grips with the recent US election. Lordy, I still don’t understand Bitcoin.

It’s all enough to send a shock through your Heraclitus – and certainly a lot to have on one’s Plato. But heh, if there’s no wind, row. Right? So off I paddle on my new river of life. With the years come experience, wisdom and feeling more comfortable in your own skin. Well, the grey hair, wrinkles and interrupted sleep have to count for something!

Read Sam’s full column in the new issue of Stellar, out on Sunday. Picture: Sam Bisso for Stellar

I’ve loved and lost. I’ve laughed and cried. And I’ve laughed until I’ve cried, which occasionally as a woman gets older means that a little bit of wee comes out (see above, re: pelvic floor).

I’m stronger, yet more vulnerable. I have learnt discernment, acceptance and patience (to a degree).

I’ve come to a very content place in the river, where I’m happy with the person I’ve grown into and excited about the adventures that are lying ahead upstream.

Listen to the latest episode of the Stellar podcast, Something To Talk About, out now:

As the American author John C Maxwell once wrote, “Change is inevitable, growth is optional.” And so I choose growth. Not for the waistline, obvs, but I’m attempting to embrace the unknown instead of fearing it.

As my mum used to say, “Change is what makes life exciting, darling!” Which, I’m sure, is exactly what Heraclitus’ mother said to him. Because as we all know, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Samantha Armytage is a TV presenter and host. Read Samantha Armytage’s full column inside the latest issue of Stellar, via The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD), and Sunday Mail (SA).

For more from Stellar and the podcast, Something To Talk About, click here.

Originally published as ‘I choose growth. Not for the waistline, obviously’: Samantha Armytage’s big life changes