Listen to the Podcast Episode Here

Why We Feel Fear When Making Changes

Fear isn’t a sign that you’re weak, or “not ready yet.” It’s your brain doing its job. We’re wired to avoid discomfort because, thousands of years ago, discomfort was often a warning sign. Great for when you are faced with a sabertoothed tiger

These days? The “danger” might just be speaking up in the meeting, walking into the exercise class, or trying something new which means stepping away from your comfort zone.

It’s when your brain whispers: “What if I fail? What if people laugh? What if I can’t keep it up?”
But notice it never says: “What if it works out better than you imagined?”

The Hidden Cost of Staying Stuck in Fear

The truth is, letting fear call the shots comes with its own risks:

• You stay stuck with your health goals, even when it’s making you unhappy. You know you want to do that 10k, lose that 3 stone, gain some muscles, feel good in your body but fear is holding you back from even starting.
• You collect a whole shelf of “what ifs” and regrets. Unanswered questions like: What if I had started last year? How different would my life have been if I had….
• You miss out on the confidence and freedom that comes after taking action. Yes confidence comes after you take that first step. How many times have you put something off and telling yourself “I’ll do that when I feel more confident” and when did you actually feel confident enough to do it? My guess is… Probably still waiting.  

Fear might feel like safety, but it’s actually the thing keeping you trapped.

5 Ways to Step Into Fear and Take Action

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait until you’re fearless (no one is ever fearless!). You just need to act with the fear.

1. Name your fear – Write down exactly what you’re afraid of. It’s usually less terrifying when it’s on paper.
2. Shrink the mountain – Break your big, scary change into baby steps. Don’t view the whole of Everest.. let’s just start with a slight hill that is so much more manageable and definitely achievable which you build confidence.
3. Take the tiniest step – Fear doesn’t disappear, but it softens when you start moving. Seriously, such a tiny step it feels pointless doing it. Something that feels doable for you right now.
4. Borrow courage – Lean on friends, a coach, or a community who’ll cheer you on when you wobble.
5. Celebrate the act, not just the outcome – Even if it’s messy, you showed up. That’s worth celebrating.

Fear as a Guide to Growth

I love to give my brain a different story to repeat. We let these unhelpful sentences run wild in our head without questioning them.

Here’s a little reframe I love: fear often points you in the direction of growth.

(obviously the fear that stops you walking down a dark alley is not the kind of fear we are talking about… stay out the dark alley!)
If something scares you and excites you, it’s usually worth exploring.

Think about it, the best moments of life (falling in love, starting a family, changing jobs, investing in your health) all came with a side order of nerves but has created something amazing in your life.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Courage Over Comfort

Fear is loud, but it doesn’t have to be in the driver’s seat. Let it be a passenger seat driver who thinks they knows what’s best but you are the one with the steering wheel in hand.

Ask yourself today:
👉 What’s one tiny step I can take into fear this week?

Because the truth is, fear will always be there. So have find a little bit of courage to get yourself stepping into fear.

Pin for Later