In our series about what to give up in order to create a greater sense of well being and to support our emotional growth, today we explore giving up our resistance to change.
Change can be a frightening prospect. Sometimes this comes to us naturally if we experienced change after a traumatic or negative experience; sometimes change is in direct opposition to our comfort zone. The issue with change isn’t really the fear that comes with it, but rather the resistance to it. When we resist change, we tend to stay stuck. We may live too much in the past or fret too much about the future.
In order for us to see a softening of our resistance, we can begin to focus on:
- Acknowledging the fear. Recoginizing that what frightens us is also holding us back is an important first step. And the best way to temper fear? Being curious. Asking ourselves, “Does it have to be this way? What would it feel like if this were to happen? Or this?” Sometimes that curiosity is about becoming better informed about something so as to take uncertainty out of the equation.
- Acceptance. Life comes with challenges just as easily as it comes with blessings. Sometimes we have no choice but to accept what is in front of us and move with it versus against it. “It is what it is. I can’t change it, but I can control my response to it. I can find the strength and resilience in the process.”
Giving up our resistance to change allows ourselves to feel movement and direction – an important element in our continued growth.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@seanstratton