Why We Resist Change (Hint: It’s Not Really About Change)

Let’s be real for a minute. Nobody wakes up in the morning thinking, “You know what I’d love today? To be uncomfortable, uncertain, and stretched beyond my limits.”

And yet… that’s exactly what growth asks of us.

People don’t hate change itself—they hate what change demands.

Change demands courage. Change demands discipline. Change demands letting go of the familiar and stepping into unknown territory. And let’s be honest: the unknown can be terrifying.

It’s easier to cling to the devil you know than face the angel you’ve never met.

But here’s the kicker: when you avoid what change demands, you’re not avoiding discomfort. You’re just choosing a different flavor of discomfort—the slow burn of staying small, the ache of unrealized potential, the nagging feeling that you’re capable of more but not quite getting there.

Why So Many Settle for Less

Ever wonder why so many people settle?

It’s not because they lack dreams. It’s because they underestimate the price of growth—or they’re unwilling to pay it.

Growth asks for sacrifice:

✅ Old habits

✅ Comfort zones

✅ Ego

✅ Stories you’ve told yourself about who you are

The people who rise aren’t necessarily the smartest, most talented, or best resourced. They’re the ones who decided: “I’m willing to be uncomfortable if it gets me closer to the life I want.”

Settling is easier. Growth is expensive. But the cost of settling? Far greater in the long run.

The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Change

Avoiding change might feel safe. But over time, it eats away at your confidence, your dreams, and your sense of agency.

Every time you say “no” to what change is asking of you, you reinforce a story that you can’t handle it—that staying small is safer, that big dreams are for other people.

But here’s the truth:

Growth will always cost you something. But not growing will cost you everything.

How to Step Into the Demands of Growth

If you’re feeling stuck, here’s a mindset shift that changes the game:

Instead of asking, “Why is this so hard?” ask,

👉 “What is this moment requiring of me?”

That question reframes discomfort as an invitation—not a punishment.

Start here:

Identify the specific fear holding you back. Is it failure? Rejection? Loss of control?

Write down what growth is asking from you right now. Clarity? Patience? Action? Letting go?

Choose one small step today to honor that demand.

Remember: no one’s asking you to transform overnight. But every time you say yes to the demands of growth, you become the kind of person who doesn’t just dream big—you live big.

Every time you resist what growth is asking, you trade short-term comfort for long-term regret. Every time you lean in, you trade fear for freedom.