Change wasn't always something handled well. For most of my life, I was anxious and easily overwhelmed. I pushed away people, experiences, and ideas that were new and uncomfortable because of my unregulated nervous system and bank of bad coping mechanisms that I used when I was anxious. I had no idea how to handle change; even changes I wanted to make. I missed out on new experiences and opportunities and enjoying milestone moments. I don't want that for you.
In this blog post, I'll help you understand why change feels overwhelming and makes you anxious, as well as the strategies that my clients and I have used to embrace new opportunities so they are excited about their future.
You Can't Stop Change - So What Are You Going to Do With It?
You can fight change, run away from change, ignore change, or embrace change but, no matter how you address it, you can't stop it.
Change can be exciting, scary, or a mix of both. Whether you're facing a job transition, a new relationship status, or a personal goal, the fear of the unknown can hold you back from the success and the life you want to live.
Understanding the Fear of Change
Your brain is wired as a survival mechanism from the caveman days to resist change. This was great for our Stone Age ancestors but it's not so great for modern life. Since your brain loves certainty, predictability, and consistency, none of which goes hand in hand with change, these old means of survival can keep you stuck when you're sensitive to anxious feelings in your body.
Common fears associated with change include:
Fear of failure: What if I mess up or what if I"m not successful?
Fear of the unknown: What if I'm making the wrong decision or choice?
Fear of loss: What if I do this and I lose my friends, partner, job, or something else?
You can start to understand your anxious thoughts about change by noticing when you have 'what if' thoughts. These questions are your brain's way of trying to solve for the unknown, to control a situation, and to solve problems. You'll also likely notice that these thoughts come when you feel anxious. Your body might feel tense, your heart rate is increased, and you feel sweaty and/or shaky: when this happens, your brain will try to solve problems that do not exist by creating problems.
This is your signal to get grounded so you can stop overthinking and embrace the changes coming your way - wanted or not.
Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing Change
Self-Awareness: The first step to overcoming anxiety is to understand your fears and triggers. Coaching is perfect for helping you notice and evaluate the thoughts and feelings that come up when faced with change.
Mindfulness Techniques: Mindfulness practices like journaling, learning to use anxious feelings in the body as a guide, and mindful breathing can help lower anxiety in the body so you can think clearly.
Setting Clear Goals: Having clear goals can provide direction and motivation that make change more predictable and less overwhelming.
Taking Small Steps: Instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on taking small, manageable steps towards your goals.
Building a Support System: Surrounding yourself with supportive friends, family, or a coach can provide comfort and encouragement during times of change.
The Benefits of Change
When you take the time to know why you want to change
and learn how to calm your nerves so you can think clearly without overwhelm,
you can think clearly and change gets easier.
This is the process I'll lead you through on a consultation call.
There is tremendous value in knowing why you want to make a change,
learning how to find calm and clarity when you feel overwhelmed and overthink, and in having a first step forward.
Wouldn't you agree that it would be easier to do the things that feel too big and scary if you didn't have to do it alone?
You don't have to.
If you're ready to say yes to making the changes you've been avoiding, let's find an hour to talk about what changes are coming up for you and how you can feel confident, calm, and excited about what's coming next.
To learn more about how navigating transitions in life through mindset, resilience, and empowerment, listen to episode 107 of the More Than Anxiety Podcast featuring Linzie Hermsmeyer.
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