I think one reason people don’t work on changing themselves or things in their lives much is because it is scary to make those changes.

Change involves stepping out of your comfort zone.  And the word “comfort” says it all. To step out of your comfort zone, you have to do some extra work – both mentally and physically.  I can tell you that just from yesterday’s experience. I have finally been cleared to run again after 6 plus weeks. And I was excited about it the day before I was allowed to run. But I waited til yesterday and even then it was hard for me to get out the door. I had been in the “walking” comfort zone for all this time – and mind you I do NOT like walking. However, in the past 6 weeks I have developed that habit. Now I had to break the habit. It took a great deal of pushing myself to change my momentum to do the running. I’m very glad I did but it was still tough. And that’s to change into something I want to do.  Can you imagine how hard it is if you have to change to something you don’t necessarily want to do?

Habits are strange. Sometimes it doesn’t take long to develop them. Sometimes we just slip right into certain habits. Like me with the walking this past 6 weeks. I had to slip into it if I wanted to do any exercise since that was all I was permitted to do. I didn’t really have to work at developing that habit because it was forced on me.

But when you get to other habits that you are trying to implement and change, you might have to work at it and come up with fun and sneaky ways to get yourself to do the new activity or thought.

Another reason it’s scary is when you think about this being something you HAVE to do for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. If you look at it that way, it seems endless. Just remember that if you don’t like the results of this change, then you can change back or into something else. You do not have to remain stagnant. Just keep moving – but remember that even moving backwards is change too. Do not think of it as an ultimatum. A massive undertaking like something for the rest of your life is way too much for your brain to comprehend. Break everything into little pieces.

Write down the good that will come from your change. You may need to draw on results from previous experiences. Remember the posts I’ve written about the patience and realizations that went along with the forced changes I’ve had in the past 6 weeks. These are great things upon which to base the good that comes from something that could be considered horrible – “you can’t run or lift more than 10 pounds and can’t lift weights for 6 weeks..oh, and you’re going to have to deal with all these other internal changes”.  That could have scared me into total despair and hibernation but I didn’t let it. I had a goal after the “down” period was over and I wanted to heal properly so I did abide by the rules and did what I was allowed to do and did so with an open mind – embracing the journey of change.

Am I happy with the running results from yesterday? Heck no. They stunk. But I was running and that’s what matters. I will not jump the gun and make judgments that will just be negative and defeating. I am going to live for today and enjoy the run I can do and then take each day as it comes.

Look at change as exciting. A difference from your daily routine. It’s exciting if you want it to be. If this change is something you want to do, then it will be even better.

Change is only scary if you let it be. Make it something you look forward to. Let me know what change means to you. Write it in the comments box and share with others.

Terrie