Mind Over Metamorphosis

Have you ever wondered what happens during a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly? Studies have shown that this transformation is an incredible physical change but, shockingly, a psychological continuation. Scientists have trained caterpillars to react in certain ways to specific stimuli. When the caterpillar emerged from the cocoon, the butterfly responded to the stimuli in the same way, meaning that even though the body was completely transformed, the mind stayed intact.

In the process of metamorphosis, the caterpillar wraps itself up in a cocoon, and its entire body turns into mush as it completely breaks down and redevelops. A butterfly isn’t just a caterpillar that grows wings. It is a completely new physical being. Yet, through all of this, its memories and learned behaviors stay the same. 

I wonder if, throughout the transformation, while the caterpillar is tucked safely in their cocoon, they ever think, “I don’t know if this is worth it.” 

Wouldn’t you? 

Embracing uncertainty, putting yourself into a chaos of your choosing, and undergoing a complete breakdown in the hopes of emerging stronger seems crazy. In fact, it is crazy. 

For the caterpillar, it is a biological need, but for us, it is sometimes a need, too. Sometimes, we need to pause, reassess, and reevaluate the path that our lives are on. In that reassessment, drastic changes may be required. Sometimes, it will feel like our bodies are turning to mush (and our minds are going with it). But a step (or two or three) that may look backwards to an outsider is actually not a step in the wrong direction--it is a step (or two or three) back towards the right direction.