How to Embrace Change: 3 Tips for Making the Leap When You’re Feeling Stuck and Undecided

Change is often daunting, especially when it involves significant life shifts – starting a business, switching careers, ending a relationship, or even moving to a new country.

Yet the longing for growth and transformation can persist, even if you try to deny it. In this blog post, I explore the challenges and strategies behind making those bold life changes that both demand our attention and paralyse us, and give three tips (actually four tips!) on how to embrace change with grace.

Watch the video, or scroll down to keep reading, where I discuss a bonus 4th step not covered in the video!

---

🎯Step 1: Acknowledge and Confront Your Fears

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to change. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of judgment, these emotions can tether us to our comfort zones. Often, we assume these fears are valid and immovable, but they are frequently built on perceptions rather than reality.

I was listening to a recent podcast by spiritual coach Ashley Gordon with her guest Rachel Gibler, where Rachel shared her insights and story. She has successfully transitioned from being known as a “party animal” in her youth to becoming a sought-out spiritual coach and leader.

Rachel faced the fear that people from her past might judge her for this transformation. I connected with this story, realising that not only did I also harbour a fear of judgment, but that it stemmed from my shy and very reserved younger self. Often, the inner critic in you might say, “Who are you to make this change?”—but the truth is, your past doesn’t define your ability to evolve.

When these fears arise, it’s important to:

• Acknowledge them: Recognise what’s holding you back.
• Challenge them: Ask if these fears are as real as they feel.
• Reframe them: Remember that your growth isn’t dependent on others’ opinions.

---

🚀Step 2: Leap Before You Feel Ready

One powerful truth about change is this: you’ll never feel 100% prepared. Rachel discusses the idea of “leaping before you’re ready,” a philosophy I have often followed in my life. Waiting until you’ve mastered every single skill or gathered all the resources and more can delay progress indefinitely. Sometimes, you just have to start!

The key is finding balance:

• Prepare enough: Gather essential knowledge and resources to avoid reckless decisions.
• Take imperfect action: Trust that you’ll learn and adapt as you move forward.

Rachel emphasises embodying change in two ways:

1. Top-Down: Use affirmations like, “I have everything I need to succeed.” These statements set a strong mental foundation.
2. Bottom-Up: Take action, even if it’s messy or uncertain. Growth happens through doing, not just planning.

---

🎉Step 3: Celebrate Breakthrough Moments

When navigating your process of change, breakthroughs can help to give you moments of clarity. Whether inspired by a podcast, a book, or a conversation, these “a-ha moments” can shift your perspective and push you forward.

In the podcast, listening to Rachel talk about her fear of judgment resonated deeply with me and sparked a realisation about my own insecurities. This moment was pivotal, but I had to remind myself to stop, breathe, celebrate the awareness that I’d had a breakthrough, and to use it as a springboard for my growth.

How to harness your breakthroughs:

• Pause and reflect: When a realisation hits, take a moment to acknowledge its significance.
• Celebrate it: Recognise the courage it takes to face fears and grow.
• Act on it: Let the breakthrough inspire meaningful steps toward your goals.

---

💖*BONUS STEP* Step 4: Trust Your Intuition and Listen to Your Inner Voice

When facing major life changes, left-brain logic and planning often take over. While these are important, there’s another powerful tool you shouldn’t overlook: your intuition. That inner knowing, often subtle and easy to dismiss, can be an essential guiding force as you navigate uncertain territory.

Intuition is like a quiet compass pointing you toward what feels most aligned with your deeper self. It can be extremely useful and even sometimes life-saving to tune into this sense, especially when fear and doubt cloud your decision-making.

How to connect with your intuition:

1. Create stillness: Find moments of calm, whether through meditation, journaling, or a quiet walk. Intuition thrives in stillness, away from distractions.
2. Notice physical reactions: How does your body respond when you think about the change? A sense of lightness or excitement might indicate alignment, while tension or unease could suggest caution.
3. Ask and listen: Pose open-ended questions to yourself, such as, “What feels right about this?” or “What would I do if fear weren’t holding me back?” Then listen without judgment.

Acting on your intuition:

• Start small: Test the waters by taking small steps in the direction your intuition points.
• Monitor and be aware: At each step, check in with yourself how you’re feeling.
• Combine intuition with logic: Intuition isn’t about ignoring facts; it’s about blending inner guidance with practical steps to create balanced decisions.

By trusting your intuition, you honour your inner wisdom, which is uniquely attuned to your purpose and desires. Let it complement your plans and give you the confidence to make meaningful changes.

---

Final Thoughts: Trust Yourself

The journey to making significant life changes is often uncomfortable, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Remember:

• You have everything you need within you.
• Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to control you.
• Change is an act of courage, and you’re capable of leaping forward.

By embracing your fears, taking action before you feel ready, celebrating every step forward and paying close attention to your intuition, you can make the small and large changes you need to, resulting in you feeling a greater sense of joy and purpose, moving towards closer alignment with your higher self, and living the life you truly want!

---