Why we resist change and how to overcome resistance. Acknowledging your resistance to change can be one of the most challenging aspects of personal growth –and one of the most rewarding. Last week, we explored how a beach vacation tailored to your personality type can be a journey of self-discovery. Did reflecting on this idea prompt thoughts about the changes you want to make in your life?
Remember, it’s natural for us to cling to the familiar, even when change promises a more fulfilling life. In this week’s blog, we’ll examine what drives our resistance to deep, transformative change.
Explore the Common Reasons Why We Resist Change and How To Overcome Resistance
1. Fear of the Unknown
One major reason we resist change is the fear of the unknown. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about what we can’t predict or control. But think about this: if we let fear of the unknown stop us, we’d never embark on adventures or explore new opportunities. Traveling, for example, is all about stepping into unfamiliar territory. Many people find that the thrill of discovery far outweighs the initial fear. Embracing the unknown can lead to profound self-discovery and growth. So, are we letting fear hold us back from exploring new possibilities?
2. Lack of Tools and Resources
Another common obstacle is the perception that we lack the tools or resources needed for change. In reality, we live in an age where information is incredibly accessible. From online courses and tutorials to expert advice, the tools for making a change are often just a few clicks away. The challenge isn’t finding these resources but committing to using them effectively. With determination and patience, you can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate through change successfully.
3. Fear of Loss
Fear of loss is a powerful force that can significantly hinder our willingness to change. Change often requires us to give up something—whether it’s a comfortable routine, a secure job, or even relationships. The prospect of losing something we value can create a significant barrier to embracing change. It’s crucial to recognize that while loss is a part of the process, it can also make room for new opportunities and growth. Understanding that loss is a natural part of transformation can help ease the fear associated with it.
4. Comfort with the Familiar
Lastly, we often resist change simply because the familiar is comforting. Even if our current situation is less than ideal, it’s what we know. This attachment to familiarity can make it difficult to take the leap into the unknown. It’s easy to stick with what’s comfortable, even if it means enduring a burdensome or painful situation. Recognizing the comfort in familiarity can help us understand why we might cling to it, and encourage us to push past these boundaries for the sake of our growth.
#journal prompt: Pick one of the paragraphs above, grab your journal and turn each topic into a question then journal on it, at least two pages.
Additional Tools To Understand Why We Resist and Ways to Overcome the Resistance
For a detailed exploration of why we resist change and practical strategies to overcome these barriers, visit my YouTube channel, where I’ll delve deeper into this topic.
Meanwhile, take some time to reflect on these factors and how they relate to your own journey. Understanding the reasons behind our resistance is the first step towards overcoming it and fully embracing the transformative power of change.
Reflection Question Journal Prompt: What is preventing you from making the changes you need to live a more purpose-filled life?
Enjoy the podcast episode, “Reinvention: Nina Zapala’s Journey to Embrace Imperfection and Ignite Her Purpose.” Join host Wendy Battles and me as we discuss redefining Myers-Briggs, embracing vulnerability, using personal crises as catalysts, exploring travel as a path to self-discovery, and my debut book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. Grab your copy here.
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Nina Zapala, author of Unpack Your Personality Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide, is a certified MBTI® practitioner, dedicating to guiding, and empowering women to cultivate a true self journey. Through her transformative book, she introduces a groundbreaking personality paradigm — a blend of Myers-Briggs® personality typing and spiritual understanding — born from navigating her life tsunami, and conversations with countless women who have felt lost, purposeless, and disconnected from their true selves.
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Her debut book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide, is a blend of personality typing, and spirituality, and brings forth the idea of traveling a classroom for self-discovery. A book that introduces Zapala’s pioneering theory of personality typing with a spiritual focus. It all starts with the belief that we are spirit beings having a human experience, moving beyond the 1940s personality paradigm. Grab your copy here.
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