Resistance is Futile

It’s human nature to fall into patterns, both positive and negative. As you start making positive changes in your life, you may be surprised when feelings of doubt and anxiety begin to creep in. You may think that since you are trying to do something positive, that it should just flow smoothly, so why does it feel like a struggle sometimes?

Resistance to change is just letting you know you have gotten stuck in a pattern, and while these feelings can be disruptive, know that you are able to set a new pattern that will be better. Recognizing these patterns is the first step towards breaking free from and overcoming them. Negative patterns tend to stem from fear, comfort, and a lack of knowledge. Resistance to change is futile if you truly aim to create a better life for yourself.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”

Anatole France

Fear is a powerful emotion. This could be fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of the unknown. These fears can hold you back from taking risks or pursuing opportunities, leading to a pattern of avoidance or procrastination.

Remaining in your comfort zone can also lead to negative patterns. Even though you don’t like the way things are, it is familiar, and therefore, in your comfort zone. When you’re comfortable, it’s easy to fall into a routine and resist change. This can lead to stagnation and prevent you from growing or achieving your potential. You ‘settle’. It’s important to remember that stepping out of your comfort zone is often where the most significant growth happens.

Additionally, lacking the knowledge or understanding of how to do something can also contribute to negative patterns. If you don’t have the necessary information or skills, and you don’t understand where to go from here, you will feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. This can lead to inaction or incorrect action, perpetuating a negative cycle.

By addressing your fears, challenging your comfort zone, and seeking out knowledge, you can break these patterns and pave the way for positive change. A fresh start is an opportunity to reset and begin anew. It’s a chance to leave behind what’s not working and embrace new possibilities. This could mean setting new goals, adopting new habits, or changing your environment.

“Action and adaptability create opportunity.”

Garrison Wynn

Resistance is a natural response to change. It’s a sign that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging the status quo. However, once you understand the source of your negative patterns, whether it’s fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of the unknown, you can work on strategies to overcome them. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings, but instead of allowing them to hold you back, use them as a catalyst for growth and transformation.

“To make the quickest progress, you don’t have to take huge leaps. You just have to take baby steps-and keep on taking them. In Japan, they call this approach kaizen, which literally translates as ‘continual improvement.’ Using kaizen, great and lasting success is achieved through small, consistent steps. It turns out that slow and steady is the best way to overcome your resistance to change.”

Marci Shimoff

_{Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash}