Change is one of the few things in life that is for certain, yet most times it crops up it takes us by surprise and causes such resistance.
Be it shifts in our work, relationships, health, or the whole world around us, change has a way of shaking us up and showing us just how attached we are to certainty.
But while change may seem inconvenient, it’s the very thing that gives us the power (and push!) to grow.
Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty around – from the current affairs all over the world to AI transforming the way we live and work – everything feels a little shaky. It’s no wonder we’re collectively exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally, because our nervous systems are trying to make sense of constant disruption.
But change doesn’t take away your power – it reveals it.
And how we meet change determines whether it breaks us down or builds us up.
Meeting Change as It Is
When I opened this month’s Glow & Grow Tribe session, I asked a simple question:
“In one word, how would you describe your relationship with change at the moment?”
The responses came in quickly: “fearful,” “discombobulated,” “opportunity,” “anxious.”
Every word was valid, and for most of u,s it brings up both positive and negative emotions.
The purpose of the session wasn’t to make change easy; it was to help make it easier to accept, reframe, and meet it differently.
It was to rewire the limiting beliefs and rewrite the story we tell ourselves about uncertainty.
Because while we can’t always control what’s changing around us, we can control how we move through it — and how much energy we allow it to take.
As the saying goes: “We can’t change the wind, but we can adjust our sails.”
Why Change Feels So Hard (Even When it’s Positive)
Our brains are wired for safety.
They crave predictability. They look for patterns and familiarity.
So even when change is positive – a career elevation, a new relationship, a dream opportunity – it can still feel threatening.
The moment something shifts and we find ourselves on new territory, our subconscious mind goes into overdrive:
- “What if this doesn’t work out?”
- “What if I can’t handle it?”
- “What if I lose what I already have?”
It’s not a weakness within any of us; it’s simply wiring.
Saying stuck in that fear loop keeps us small, guarded, and reactive; however, lucky for us, brains can be rewired.
The key is self-awareness.
When we can see our resistance for what it is, merely a protective mechanism, then we are able to loosen its hold over us.
And that’s when we can get on with exploring, accepting, and allowing it to help us grow.
From Fear to Excitement: The Power of Reframing
Here’s something fascinating, which I also covered in my book: fear and excitement feel exactly the same in the body as far as your brain is concerned.
The racing heart, the shortness of breath, the butterflies in your stomach… they’re identical chemical reactions.
So the only difference is the label we attach to the feeling.
Our language shapes our emotional state.
If we tell ourselves, “I’m terrified of this new chapter,” our body follows suit.
But if we instead say, “I’m excited to see what this brings,” our energy transforms.
It sounds too simple, but I promise you it works, and it’s extremely powerful! (I use it all the time before big events, particularly speaking engagements!)
Don’t believe me? Then try it right now for yourself. Think of a change or challenge you’re facing right now and notice the story you’re telling about it…
Got it? Good.
Now ask yourself: What could this change be making possible for me? And tell yourself you’re not scared, you’re excited about it. Say this several times and you will start to feel the shift in emotion towards it.
This isn’t about forcing positivity; it’s about shifting your perspective. The fear doesn’t serve you right now, but excitement will, and you have a choice which story you tell yourself and focus on.
That small reframe and quick exercise can move you from paralysis into possibility.
Staying Grounded When Everything Feels Uncertain
When the world feels chaotic, our instinct is to grip tighter and try to control.
But true strength in times of change doesn’t come from a defence or force; it comes from self-regulation.
When we learn to manage our energy – to slow down, to ground, to create space for stillness – then we can move out of a reactive state and find clarity again.
Energy management is an extremely important leadership skill.
Because when your energy is scattered, then your decisions are too.
In the session, I asked everyone to complete a simple Energy Audit:
Draw three columns and label them Energises Me, Drains Me, and Neutral.
Then ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I can reduce or eliminate this week (a drainer)?
- What’s one thing I can add (an energiser)?
This gives you clarity over your energy leaks and makes you realise just how much some small things really light you up.
The goal is never to do everything perfectly; it’s simply to create better boundaries around what fuels and drains you.
That’s where my Sack & Stack method fits in perfectly.
Every week, ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I can sack off this week that’s not serving me?
- And what can I stack together to make life smoother and more intentional?
Small adjustments in energy management create massive shifts in your mindset and overall resilience.
Building Inner Strength & Adaptability
When people talk about resilience, they often imagine this tough, unshakable exterior, but real resilience is flexible. It bends; it doesn’t break.
I always say one of the best skills to master is that of agility and not tying too much emotion, or your whole identity, to specific things.
It’s not about being unaffected by change – you want to be affected by it but in a way that serves you, not hinders you.
Change can be a great tool for personal and professional development so long as you’re able to move with it while staying connected to yourself.
So I encourage you to build your Resilience Toolkit, which is your personal collection of anchors, allies, affirmations, and actions that support you through uncertainty.
Anchors are the things that keep you grounded when everything else feels shaky.
For some, it’s a morning walk. For others, journaling, music, or a quiet and intentional cup of tea before the world wakes up.
Allies are the people you can lean on.
Who helps you come back to yourself when fear or self-doubt creeps in?
We often underestimate the power of connection when navigating change, but support is so valuable to either challenge our limited thinking or just feel less alone with it and stronger to deal with it as a collective.
Affirmations are the truths that remind you who you are when life tests you.
They can’t be fluffy and they have to feel true to you.
Try ones like:
- “I’ve survived 100% of my worst days.”
- “Every challenge and adversity in life has taught me something and made me a better person.”
- “Change is my catalyst, not my enemy.”
And finally, Actions are the consistent habits that make you feel calm and capable.
The things that bring structure and certainty back into your day. Like taking care of yourself with regular exercise, fuelling your body with nutritious food at regular intervals throughout the day, creating space in your schedule to be alone with yourself, and listening to what your body is telling you.
Sometimes strength means speaking up.
Sometimes it means slowing down.
Developing self-awareness allows you to recognise what is right for you in that moment in time.
Change Doesn’t Take Your Power, It Reveals It
So remember,
“You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”
Change is the wind.
You can’t always fight it, predict it, or understand the direction it blows.
But you can adjust your sails, and with a daily practice of self-awareness, you’ll build self-trust that you’ll find your way.
Know that every challenge you’ve faced so far has prepared you for what is to come.
Every time you’ve adapted, learned, or recovered, you’ve built resilience you can now draw upon. You get to choose whether you see an obstacle or an opportunity.
And when you find yourself panicking, “What if it all goes wrong?”, quickly replace it with, “What if it all goes right?”
Your Turn: Reflect & Reset
If you want to take this reflection deeper, here are a few journaling prompts for you.
Grab a notebook and pen (or put fingers to keyboard) and spend a few moments writing on each one.
- My biggest resistance to change right now is…
- If I knew everything was working out, I would…
- One supportive action I’ll take this week is…
And a little challenge to you for this month, too:
Say yes to one new thing this month that scares you (because remember, really it excites you!)
It doesn’t have to be huge, just something that stretches you (a little) – that’s how confidence is built, little by little, slowly and sustainably – and notice how that choice changes your energy, your confidence, and your outlook.
Growth is never comfortable in the moment…. But it’s always worth it in the end.
Change isn’t here to test you; it’s here to train you.
Change comes to remind you of your flexibility, your resourcefulness, and your courage.
Every shift is an invitation to realign with what truly matters.
Don’t make it about what’s changing “out there,” make it about who you become in the process of navigating it.
