Why We Resist Change and how to break through it.

Why We Resist Change and how to break through it.

Jun 25, 2025

Change is inevitable—but our resistance to it often isn’t about the change itself.

It’s about the beliefs we attach to it.

We say we don’t like change, but what we really don’t like is what we believe that change might mean:

  • “What if I can’t cope?”
  • “What if I fail?”
  • “People will think I’m not good enough.”
  • “This shouldn’t be happening.”

These aren’t facts. They’re beliefs—and beliefs can be challenged.
Sarah, a team leader in a logistics company, hit a wall when her department rolled out a digital transformation. She wasn’t resisting the new software—she was resisting the belief:

“I should already know how to do this.”

Her fear wasn’t about learning—it was about appearing incompetent.

Using Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), she examined that belief:

  • Is it true?
  • Does it logically follow?
  • Is it helping me?

With that reflection, the fear lost its power. She leaned into learning—and her leadership strengthened.
Here’s how you can use REBT to challenge resistance in your own life or team:

1️⃣ Identify the Belief

Ask: What am I telling myself about this change?

It’s often something rigid like:

“This must go smoothly” or “I must not struggle.”

2️⃣ Dispute the Belief

Use these REBT questions:
✅ Is it true?
✅ Is it logical?
✅ Is it helping me?
You’ll often find the belief doesn’t hold up under pressure.

3️⃣ Replace with a More Rational Belief

Try:

“I’d prefer things to go well, but I can cope if they don’t.”
“Learning takes time—and that’s okay.”

We don’t fear change—we fear what we believe it says about us.

But when we challenge those beliefs, we move from resistance to resilience.

🌱 Challenge the belief, not the change.

That’s where real growth begins.

🔁 Over to you:

What belief are you holding that might be blocking your next step?
Let’s talk about it in the comments 👇