Why Do We Fear Change?

Why Do We Fear Change?

At 8:59 a.m., the email notification sounded: 'Welcome to your new role'. This moment marked the beginning of change, an interruption to the comfort and daily habits that many of us have grown accustomed to. It's normal to feel afraid when we face uncertainty, and adapting to new situations can be tough. Remember, everyone feels anxious or uneasy at times like these. Noticing and accepting these feelings can help make the transition easier.

For instance, look at starting a new job as a situation where one can find themselves amidst change. It can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You meet new people, learn new things, and face situations you have not seen before. Even though it can feel overwhelming, these changes often help us grow and open up new possibilities. When we accept change instead of fighting it, we give ourselves the opportunity to improve our lives in ways that matter to us.

When change is coming your way, it's normal to feel both curious and unsure about what will happen next. To handle these emotions, try to re-center yourself and observe how you're feeling. Taking a moment to check in with yourself can help you feel calm and composed. Engaging in activities that promote better circulation can help you ease your worries. (Mayo Clinic Staff, n.d.)

By journaling your thoughts and feelings, you can gain relief and clarity. Short walks, especially in nature, refresh your mind and body, helping you return to your routine with a renewed perspective. ("The power of nature walks: How just 20 minutes outdoors can boost mental well-being", 2024) Seeking support from friends, family, or colleagues can offer reassurance and insight. Altogether, these approaches can help you turn the uncertainty of change into a process you can navigate with greater confidence and perspective.

How can one make this transition easy on them?

Honestly, this question is similar to asking the universe: Why did they make humans or life in general? Isn’t it something that is just there, like a mountain, trees, rivers, ocean, and us? Change is never easy, even if it is something good, a point that is very much clear by now. However, while outcomes aren’t certain, you can tilt the odds in your favor by making informed decisions and preparing yourself to adapt. Embracing the idea that you have some influence over the course of change can help shift the mindset from feeling powerless to feeling proactive.

Nevertheless, be easy on yourself, care for yourself in ways that only you can, and stop hogging your thoughts with worries. You are halfway through the mess once you accept that change has arrived. Acceptance may not ease anything in the physical world, but to your brain, it can mean the world.

Are there real-life examples of people who have successfully navigated major changes?

Let’s start by looking in. You may find yourself at a point in your life where you need to read it back to yourself. Have you not lived so far? You have. You may have a lot to learn, but from the moment we are born, change has had our hand or at least hovered somewhere in our space, at times taking us to places in life, and other times, it’s someone else.

How can I tell if a change will truly lead to positive transformation in my life?

You can never tell something like that, but create the best out of everything. Change may not appear or even come out with positive energy, but what if you create a by-product of this change that is positive than the effect, and the transformed version of you can be truly bring positive transformation in one’s life.