Change is in the air. The weather is getting colder, we just had another election which changed the balance of power, and things seem to be moving along faster than they have in a while.

As I’ve spoken to quite a few of my friends over the past few weeks, they’ve noted that they’re having lots of change and transition, too.

For many, it’s making a career move in a direction that feels more heart centered than what they had been doing before. I’ve heard from so many people lately who are tired of just earning a paycheck and want to do something that they were meant to do in life. It’s refreshing to hear so many people following their passions.

For others, it’s a change in their family. Many of my friends are preparing to become a Mom for the first time. This exciting change brings lots of anticipation for what life might be like once the little one arrives – it’s exciting and scary.

And for others, it’s a change in health – finally being ready to learn how to release the weight without crazy diets, discover how to boost their energy and get their spark back, or figure out how to end nagging digestive issues for good.

The funny thing about change is that we all want to change something, and many of us hold ourselves back from actually making it. Most of the time it’s fear that holds us back.

Part of that fear is the uncertainty of what life will be like when you change.

There’s actual science behind why this is. Studies show that the brain views uncertainty the same way that it views physical pain – it registers as a threat. Your brain actually craves certainty, and uses similar circuits that register other rewards such as food and sex.

So how can you override your brain’s automatic way of thinking?

Get clear on your why
You know what you want to change, and you can reinforce the positive benefits of making the change by writing out a list of why you want it. Take 10 minutes to write out everything you will gain by changing.

For example, if you dropped 10 pounds, you could – wear that slinky dress hiding in the back of your closet, look better in your holiday photos, feel confident in your bathing suit on vacation, have more energy, look better naked, etc. Write non-stop and come up with as many reasons as you can – the more the better.

Calm yourself into change
A good reminder is to use the Louise Hay affirmation, “I am safe. It’s only change.”

If you think logically about change, it’s inevitable, and it’s always happening. But it only becomes a big deal when we think it’s a big deal. By continually reaffirming that you are safe and ok, and that change is good and something you actually want, you can help your brain get out of threat mode and get yourself into action.

Get Moving
If your thinking feels like it’s stagnant, one of the best things you can do is to get moving! When you change the way you’re moving, you change your physiology – your breathing changes, you activate different muscles, which activates different parts of your brain. All of this physical change can help you break through a negative thought pattern to open the door for new and more positive thoughts.

You can do something as simple as taking a walk or cleaning up your space. Or try something radically different than what you normally do. Recently, I climbed up a rock climbing wall and tried a hip hop dance class. The rock wall was much harder than I thought it would be, and I was really psyched when I reached the top. When I did the  hip hop class I was nervous about looking foolish in from of others – until  I realized that everyone else felt the same way. Once I dropped my thinking patterns and just did it, I had a ton of fun.

Do some inner work
Changing your thinking can take lots of practice. It’s easier when you have tools that can help you flip the switch whenever you need it – it can be an affirmation, a mantra, or something that reminds you of being happy and in the flow. Whatever you use, it should be something that you can use anytime to switch yourself instantly. The more you practice, the easier it will get and the better you’ll feel.

———————————————————

What do you do to help yourself move through the fear of change?

One of the most helpful tools that I’ve used is the Essential Spark – an instant breakthrough tool that helps you move through fear to get you where you want to go faster and easier than ever before. You can learn more about it here.