Reframing Change: From Fear to Growth

Change.

Change can seem like a mountain that we have no energy or desire to climb. All the same, inevitably, we will all go through some sort of change at some point in our life. Some changes will be big, some may be small. We may feel a loss of control when dealt with change for many reasons. We may feel we are forced to make a change in job, relationship, what path to take in life. However, avoiding the reality of change will not make it go away. Walking into the unknown can be scary. But, you are strong enough to walk this journey. 

Having faith in self and independence can be a challenge. Confidence in making the “right” decision can lead to avoidance in making any decision because life is hard!! All the consequences of our decisions are not always known. But, that is the beauty of life. 

What if we were to reframe our fear of change into an opportunity for self-growth?

Understanding how the thoughts we feed ourselves, even sometimes the unspoken thoughts, can have a huge impact on our behavior. 

Our brain's perception of reality is not fixed. It can be shaped by how we think and what we focus on. Of course, this doesn’t mean adopting an optimistic mindset will shield us from every negative experience. That’s not realistic. But it does mean that how we choose to react to those experiences can evolve. When we learn to reframe difficult moments, we gain new insight and resilience.

When we start viewing change not as something to fear, but as an opportunity, we give ourselves the chance to grow.

Having faith in our ability to face discomfort sends a powerful message to our brain: I can handle this.

Avoiding discomfort teaches our brain the opposite—that we’re not strong enough to cope.

But by confronting those uncomfortable emotions, gaining perspective, and building coping tools, we train our minds to see change differently. That might involve talking to a trusted friend or professional, learning emotional regulation strategies, or even speaking with a primary care provider about potential medical support.

The key is this: you can handle the hard things.

Change is not the enemy.

It’s a part of life—and part of your journey.

The more we embrace it, the more we realize that what once felt impossible is, in fact, completely within reach.