Why Change Feels So Hard
And How to Make it Easier
|
|
|
From things as big as starting a new job or deciding to take control of your health, to small shifts like adjusting your morning routine, change is uncomfortable.
But why does it feel that way? And more importantly, what can we do about it?
Why Change Feels Uncomfortable
Our brains and bodies love predictability. We run on patterns, both conscious and unconscious, every single day. Some are helpful (like brushing your teeth without thinking), while others are outdated coping strategies from the past.
When we introduce change, we’re essentially rewiring the system. This means breaking old neural pathways and building new ones, something your body and mind will naturally resist at first. Your mind and body naturally resist this because they equate familiar with safe. But as life circumstances change, sometimes these patterns that we know as safe, can be what is holding us back or keeping us where we are.
How to Regulate Through Change
Awareness is the first step. Now that you know why your mind and body push back against change, you can choose to respond differently.
Whether you’re moving through a big life transition or just facing everyday moments of stress, these simple tools can help you ground, regulate, and act from a more conscious place:
- Breathe Before You React – Pause and take 5-10 deep full body breaths
- Ground Yourself – Touch the earth, focus on your senses, or hold something steady.
- Micro Shifts – Break big changes into small, manageable steps to reduce overwhelm.
- Remind Yourself: Chaos ≠ Wrong – Just because it feels uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not working.
A Note On Consistency:
Consistency builds comfort + confidence. The more you do something new the easier it will become each time. Why? Because you are building a new pathway for your mind to take, and every time you take that new path it becomes stronger. Think of it like training a muscle: the more you use it, the more natural it becomes.
Practice to Go Deeper – Embodied Change
This practice helps you move beyond thinking about change and actually feeling it in your body, so your nervous system can start to recognize it as safe.
- Give yourself uninterrupted time alone. Create a cozy environment, light a candle, pour a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a blanket, anything that signals comfort and safety to your body.
- Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. With each exhale, let your shoulders drop and your jaw soften.
- Bring your awareness to your body. Slowly scan from the top of your head down to your toes. Notice sensations, areas of tension, warmth, or lightness. There’s no need to change anything, just notice.
- Now, picture the change you want to make as if it’s already happened. See yourself living in this new reality; what does your environment look like? How do you move? How do you speak? Who are you with? As you visualize, scan your body again. Notice how it feels to inhabit this version of you.
-
On a piece of paper or in your journal, reflect on:
- What does your body feel like when it’s relaxed and regulated?
- What sensations come up when you embody the change you want to make?
- What does life look like with this change fully integrated?
- What small actions can you begin taking now to move toward this version of yourself?
Remember, change isn’t just about what you do, it’s about who you become. Each time you connect with the felt sense of your future self, you’re showing your body and mind that this new reality is safe and possible. Return to this practice anytime you feel resistance or doubt creeping in, it’s one of the most powerful ways to bridge the gap between where you are and where you’re going
With Gratitude,
Zoe
P.S. You don’t have to go through this season of change alone. I have limited spots open for 1:1 guidance—click the link or reply to this email, and let’s walk this path together.
