Embracing Change while Handling the Fear and Guilt
Embracing change isn’t always easy, but the right perspective can make it worth it in the end. It will help you become the best version of YOU. It’s time!
In my last article, I suggested Spring cleaning your life for more energy, joy, clarity and peace. Part of your Spring cleaning likely involves answering the call we all are receiving, i.e., to BE who we are YOU-niquely designed to BE – for the good of the Whole. Even if you don’t recognize it as such, the TRUE longings in your heart are telling you, “BE YOU!” Always.
Embracing change of that nature can surely stir up resistance, masquerading as guilt and fear. Which can stop you dead in your tracks unless you are prepared to handle them. I will share with you below how to make it easier.
It’s not always easy letting go and embracing change.
Change can be especially difficult when we are anchored by deeply ingrained habits and “belief baggage” with strong emotional ties. Your “belief baggage” is especially difficult because it’s a part of your identity, a form of intellectual property, and your familiar home. In other words, it’s your center and ground, your comfort zone. Instinctively we protect what is “ours”, and our “home”. All normal.
And, all holding you back if you aren’t willing to face it head on, feel the fear, and do it anyway.
You aren’t only changing a mental construct, you’re changing your programming, i.e. the wiring in your nervous system. You’re opening to new ways.
Letting go and embracing change takes time, courage, persistence, and patience.
(It’s also helpful to have a support system, and a plan to help you navigate the journey. Just sayin’. You know, like your life coach can do with you…).
What’s stressing you?
Think about the changes that, deep down, you’d really like to make. The ones that you dismiss, or ignore, but which resurface repeatedly. You know the ones I mean….
The changes that, if made, would ultimately land you in the most amazing place in your life. That amazing place for which you are YOU-niquely designed to be.
What’s continually stressing you that needs to go (or needs a belief “re-vamp”)? A relationship? A job? A commitment? Something else?
Which habits could use a little variety, or even hit the highway?
What’s missing that’s waiting for you to open the door and welcome it in?
Let yourself really feel into what it would be like if there were no limits, no excuses. IF ANYTHING, and EVERYTHING were possible. How would that feel to have your life EXACTLY as your heart longs for it to be?
How would your body feel?
I invite you to ask yourself, “What’s holding me back?”
And let the answer come through your heart, your gut, from your Higher Self.
Note how you may be limiting yourself with beliefs of impossibility, lack of worth, lack of self esteem, “should’s”, and “musts”.
Be willing to admit what you’re afraid of.
How much of any of those limits is REALLY true? Seriously.
Sometimes there’s guilt involved. Which is really fear in disguise.
And, you may not even know what you’re guilty about. Regardless, its your beliefs at work. Again, knowing yourself and drilling down are key.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you in that process:
- Are you afraid of hurting someone by saying “no”? Have you thought of how you might actually empower them to handle something themselves if you say “no”?
- Is it REALLY true that you don’t deserve improvement? Do you deserve to take your next breath or even eat when hungry? Aren’t those improvements of a sort? Where’s it fair to draw the line regarding what improvement you DO deserve?
- Who’s suffering if you “improve”? Might they benefit, learn, grow, or even become empowered if you improve?
- Who are you dishonoring or disappointing by making a change? Are you living YOUR life, or theirs? Aren’t they responsible for their own reactions?
- What are you really afraid of? Keep digging. You answers ARE there.
If someone REALLY loves you unconditionally, they want what’s best for you, and what makes your heart sing. And, that’s a two-way street, right?
None of us can decide what’s truly best for another. We only know for certain what is going on inside of US, and what’s best for us.
It’s your birthright to become the best version of you. It is your Purpose, and your destiny, to be the best YOU, and make your difference in the world.
And, everything you need to do that IS within you. You will see it, feel it, know it if you look past the fear, and the guilt.
Bottom line…
Which is worse/more stressful? Changing, or tolerating the way things are now?
Change isn’t necessarily all butterflies and roses. But, personally, I prefer the stress associated with personal growth and improvement to that from tolerating something that isn’t a good fit for me. It has a different quality to it. HOPE, ENTHUSIASM, OPTIMISM are mixed in. That’s better than despair, pessimism, anger, and resentment- in my book.
And, I also know that I have to be ready, which includes having a plan and support in place….. Otherwise, the stress WILL be worse – because the anger, resentment, pessimism, and despair will creep into my “new” path to test my resolve as well…..
Are you ready to let go, embrace change, and be the best version of YOU? A great way to start is to use your complimentary copy of my 5-Step Quick Start Guide to Release Anxiety, Chronic Pain, and Stress. Get your copy here:
