Embracing change as a catalyst for growth
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Change is inevitable. Like the seasons, it arrives with its own rhythm - sometimes gentle, sometimes abrupt. And while change is necessary for growth, it’s not always welcome. It can stir discomfort, uncertainty, even resistance.
We have to cope with change in many aspects of our lives: at work, our health, technology, our relationships, the environment. As the saying goes 'change is the only constant'.
But what if we could see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity? How we perceive change and react to change can have an enormous impact on us.
Why we resist change:
Fear of the unknown
Attachment to identity or routine
Cultural conditioning around control and stability
Our brains crave familiarity. Change can feel like a loss of control, a disruption to our routine or identity. We might fear loss, failure, judgment, or simply the unknown. Resistance is natural - but it doesn’t have to be permanent.
The opportunities within change:
A chance to realign with our values
A catalyst to develop new skills
A prompt to shed outdated beliefs
An invitation to expand our comfort zone
How coaching can help you cope with change
Change affects people in different ways, and it's good to recognise and accept that.
You are likely to feel a range of emotions, and this can feel destabilising. Coaching can help you to explore those feelings and give you perspective on what's happening, and help you navigate change with more ease:
Set personal goals: tracking what you want to achieve personally can feel rewarding and stabilising, even when there are unknowns.
Feel the feelings: Let yourself grieve, rage, celebrate - whatever emotions arise.
Gain perspective: Change can feel all-consuming, but coaching can help you see the bigger picture.
Visualise the outcome: Imagine yourself thriving on the other side.
Staying resilient through change
Resilience isn’t about being unaffected—it’s about adapting and creating agility.
You can:
Lean into support (coaches, friends, colleagues, community)
Revisit your strengths and past ways you have successfully coped with change.
Practice daily self-compassion (e.g.) mindfulness.
Pay attention to your mental and physical well-being.
Reframes to see change more positively
“I’m overwhelmed” to “I’m expanding”
“This is happening to me” → “This is happening for me”
“I’m losing something” → “I’m making space for something new”
“I don’t know what to do” → “I’m learning as I go”
Tools for navigating change
Name the emotion (labeling reduces overwhelm)
Create a mantra like “I evolve with grace and grit”
Anchor in values (what matters most right now?)
Create micro-movements (small, safe steps forward)
Celebrate adaptability (not just outcomes)
Ask: “What is this change here to teach me?”
If you'd like to find out more about how coaching can help you navigate change, please get in touch.
Speak soon,
Charlie
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