Written by: Sarah Kneebone, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Most people fear change. It's human. We’re hardwired to worry about the worst-case scenario because that’s how our system shields us from danger.
But if fear is getting in the way of your ability to process change or progress with new opportunities, this article is for you.
I'm sharing 10 tips on coping with change to make your next life transition that little bit easier and more exciting inspired by my imminent move from England to Mexico!
Why we fear change
Whether it’s a new job or business venture, birth, marriage, divorce, retirement or relocation, change can feel scary for numerous reasons:
Loss of control
Uncertainty and risk: “What might I lose?”
Surprises some of us hate them!
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome: “Am I good enough to do this?”
Old wounds and attachment issues: “Is this safe for me?”
Consequences and repercussions
It’s a lot of work!
It’s normal to feel some resistance and even default to avoidance when faced with stepping outside your comfort zone.
For the reasons stated above, your brain likes to choose “the easy option” ‒ even if that means keeping you stuck, sick, and sad. Familiar discomfort is often prioritized over making a move into unfamiliar territory, no matter the potential gains.
Moving forward with clarity
If you can relate to this, there’s a good chance you’ve labelled yourself as “lazy” or a procrastinator. You beat yourself up for getting stuck in this loop, but none of the rational “just do it” advice seems to make a difference.
That’s where your nervous system, emotional regulation, and emotional healing come in. Taking the first step is much easier when your system feels safe to embrace change.
When you uncover the “why” behind your responses and learn tools to make your system less reactive, you can progress with peace and purpose. When you know how to process the emotions that come with life’s curveballs, you can adapt better and come back to a place of calm faster.
Seeking support from somatic healers or trauma-informed therapists and helping yourself with modalities like EFT tapping is often the foundation that enables the following tips to make a real impact.
1. Acknowledge the change
Move from avoidance and denial to acceptance, much like a grieving process, and allow all your emotions to come through ‒ the good, bad and ugly. Try repeating to yourself, “Things are changing and that’s okay.”
2. Observe your thought patterns
Take time to pause and reflect, rather than running on autopilot (and stress hormones!). Meditate, journal and question whether your concerns have truth to them or not. Often, we are catastrophizing and our worries aren’t rooted in reality.
3. Realize that even “good change” can cause stress
Have you ever thought about the fact that anxiety and excitement feel similar in the body? The butterflies? The flightiness? Stress is a normal response to change, not necessarily a sign that something is wrong.
4. Take baby steps
Proactively break tasks down into ultra-manageable chunks and then use that momentum to move forward. To-do lists are much more satisfying when they’re easy to start ticking off!
5. Remember your “why”
If this change is your choice, remind yourself why you’re doing it. What are you trying to achieve? What is the ideal outcome? How could that positively impact you?
6. Create some comfort
Incorporating moments of comfort and healthy routines into your day can help you feel safer in your new reality. This practice adds elements of predictability and familiarity to the unknown.
7. Reach out for support
As cliche as it sounds, sharing the load with someone ‒ whether verbally or physically ‒ can make a huge difference to your experience. Try buddying up with a friend to take the first steps or leaning on a spouse for a different, grounding perspective.
8. Give yourself a break
Are you expecting yourself to function at 110% while you try to navigate a major life transition? Does reading that question make you realize how bonkers this is? Be kind to yourself during times of change. Processing emotions is tiring!
9. Incorporate relaxing practices
Something I particularly love for times of stress is using the “So-Hum” or “Om” mantra to bring you out of fight/flight mode and into the parasympathetic state. Try it now and you’ll instantly see what I mean.
10. Remember life isn’t linear
If you’re going through a “bad change” or something went wrong, like perhaps an unexpected redundancy, remember that things will get better again. Even if you can’t yet picture how that future will look, there is light on the other side ‒ I promise!
I would be honoured to support you in reclaiming your energy and zest for life when faced with a big life transition or change. Find out more about me and my coaching and healing services on Instagram, the “More Mojo” podcast or via my website.
Sarah Kneebone, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sarah Kneebone is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Breathwork Facilitator. She combines dietary and lifestyle optimization with deep emotional healing practices to help busy, tired women uncover the root cause of their symptoms, reignite their energy, and get their zest for life back.
After being hospitalized with sepsis and diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid (Hashimoto's), Sarah realized that her unsustainably fast-paced lifestyle and unprocessed trauma needed to be resolved. She began a transformative healing journey that led to the remission of her condition and a career change from Marketing Manager to Holistic Health Coach.
Mojo Health Space was born out of a deep desire to help others get their mojo back, and Sarah now dedicates her life to supporting women through coaching, digital courses, and her podcast: "More Mojo". Her mission: "For all women to feel truly vibrant + thriving."
