How to Embrace Change
How to Break Through Fear and Comfort to Create Real Transformation
The Spark of Change: Why Moments of Clarity Matter
Have you ever had a moment when something inside you shouted, “That’s it!”—when you made a bold decision and refused to let anything get in your way?
Those moments feel electric. They come with emotion, physical intensity, and a clear sense of knowing.
In that moment, your intention becomes stronger than your fear, and your body follows your command.
These flashes of clarity are powerful. But they’re often short-lived—because the pull of old habits is stronger than a flash of inspiration.
Why We Resist the Very Change We Want
Why do New Year’s resolutions fail? Why do we long for something deeply… yet avoid the actions that would bring it closer?
Because change requires more than desire. It requires energy—stronger than the comfort of routine and familiarity.
According to behavioral science, we are wired for loss aversion—we fear losing what we know more than we value gaining something new (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979).
That’s why you might say you want a new partner, job, or habit—but still keep repeating the same patterns.
Familiarity feels safe, even if it’s unsatisfying.
The Neuroscience of Comfort and Risk
Neuroscience shows that our brains prefer predictability. The basal ganglia—responsible for habit formation—creates behavioral loops to conserve energy.
Even if a habit is destructive, it feels easier than forging a new neural path.
But here’s the good news: your brain is neuroplastic. It can change.
And you can reshape it—by consistently taking new actions that disrupt the comfort loop.
Comfort vs. Growth: A Dangerous Trade-Off
Here’s a simple truth:
The more you cling to comfort, the less fulfilled you feel.
Your level of life satisfaction is inversely proportional to the level of routine you refuse to outgrow.
Comfort is not a bad thing—but when it becomes your only goal, it leads to:
- Stagnation
- Emotional numbness
- Decreased self-trust
- Missed opportunities
We’ve all fallen into autopilot. But you don’t have to stay there
How to Embrace Change—One Step at a Time
Start small. But start now.
Daily Disruption Practice:
- Take a new route to work or your favorite café
- Try a food you’ve never ordered
- Greet a stranger with intention
- Break your usual morning sequence
These micro-shifts stretch your comfort zone gently, without overwhelming your system.
Over time, this creates an identity shift—from someone who avoids change to someone who initiates it.
Tip: Every time you feel resistance, see it as a signal: “This is where I grow.”
Final Thoughts: Change Is a Daily Practice
You don’t need to make dramatic moves to change your life.
You just need to:
- Interrupt routine
- Trust your intention
- Take small, repeated steps
- Welcome the discomfort of newness
Change isn’t a one-time decision.
It’s a daily practice of choosing growth over comfort.
And each time you do, your life becomes more aligned, empowered, and fully yours.
— Sandro Formica, PhD
Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])
Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program