How to Motivate Yourself to Embrace Change

29 August 2025

Change.

Ohhh, the dreaded "C" word.

It’s as inevitable as bad hair days and awkward Zoom silences—and yet, no matter how many times life throws it at us, we still flinch like it’s a surprise slap in the face.

But here’s the kicker: change isn’t just necessary—it’s literally how we grow. From dropping toxic habits to switching careers or finally learning how not to murder your houseplants (we see you, plant killers), change is the only way forward.

Still, knowing that doesn’t exactly make it easier, does it?

So, how do you actually motivate yourself to embrace change and stop treating it like it’s a root canal appointment?

Let’s dive into the mess, shall we?

Why Are We So Freaked Out by Change?

Before we throw on our motivational capes and run toward transformation like we’re in an inspirational Nike ad, let’s pause for a second and ask—why do we resist change like it’s a call from our ex?

Here’s the truth bomb: our brains are wired for predictability. Like a cat who flips out when you move the furniture, your brain likes to know what to expect. Anything new, unfamiliar, or different? Yeah, that triggers your amygdala—the part of your brain that’s basically a full-time drama queen.

It senses danger even when there’s no actual threat. New job? "We’re all going to die!" Starting therapy? "Sound the alarms!" Switching toothpaste brands? "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

So don’t beat yourself up for feeling anxious about change. It’s biology, baby.

Step One: Make Friends With Discomfort (Yeah, Really)

So how do you stay motivated when your internal monologue is basically screaming, "RUN AWAY!"?

Simple: you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Think of change like going to the gym. That first day? Pure chaos. You forget how to breathe, your sweat sweats, and everything hurts—even your eyelashes.

But if you keep showing up? You get stronger. You stop crying when someone mentions squats. You adjust.

Same with change. The discomfort is temporary. Growth lasts.

Pro Tip:

Start small. Like annoyingly small. Want to develop a morning routine? Don’t go full 5 AM cold plunge guru. Just start by waking up 10 minutes earlier. Achievable = sustainable.

Step Two: Motivate With Meaning, Not Force

Here’s a hard truth: willpower alone is like using a pool noodle to paddle across the ocean.

You need a deeper reason. A why.

Ask yourself: “What’s the actual reason I want to make this change?”

Not the Instagrammable answer—the real one.

Want to change jobs? Maybe it’s not just about more money. Maybe you’re burned out, dreaming of working somewhere that doesn’t make you cry in the parking lot.

Changing your eating habits? Perhaps it’s not just about the abs. Maybe you want the energy to chase your dog down the street when he escapes. Again.

When your motivation is tied to your values, not just aesthetics or ego, you're more likely to stick with it.

Step Three: Rewrite The Story You're Telling Yourself

Ever caught yourself thinking something like:

- “I’m just not the kind of person who can do this.”
- "I’ve never been good with change."
- “New things always go wrong.”

Yeah, congratulations, those are what psychologists call "limiting beliefs." Basically, lies you tell yourself that serve nobody—not even your inner saboteur.

You’re not born with a fixed personality, friend. Our brains are ridiculously plastic (and not the kind in landfills)—they adapt.

Try this instead:

Swap “I’ve never been good at change” with “I’m learning how to handle change better.”

Gives you more wiggle room to grow, and no one likes being stuck in a mental straight jacket.

Step Four: Stop Waiting to Feel Motivated

Here’s a plot twist that’ll blow your motivational quote calendar to bits:

Motivation doesn’t always come before action.

More often, action comes first… and then motivation shows up.

Crazy, right?

But think about it. When’s the last time you felt motivated to clean your kitchen before you started cleaning it? Exactly. But once you started, momentum kicked in. Suddenly you’re scrubbing the ceiling fan and googling how to reorganize Tupperware.

So instead of waiting for a bolt of motivational lightning, just do one tiny thing. Fold one shirt. Write one sentence. Drink one glass of water instead of three coffees.

Momentum is a loyal friend—once you get moving, it rarely bails.

Step Five: Make it Ridiculously Easy to Succeed

Change shouldn’t feel like climbing Everest on roller skates.

Make it laughably easy at first.

Want to start journaling? Don't aim for three pages a day. Just write one sentence. Literally. One.

Trying to meditate? One minute. That’s it. If you can scroll TikTok for 45 minutes, you can spare 60 seconds to breathe and not think about why Steve from accounting claps when the plane lands.

The goal here is simple: build a habit before you scale it. Motivation skyrockets when we win, not when we flop.

Step Six: Embrace the Glorious Hot Mess

Repeat after me:

“Progress over perfection.”

Change is messy. It involves backslides, ugly cries, impulse pizza orders, and occasional existential crises. This is not a polished montage with inspiring music playing in the background.

This is real life. And real life is weird.

So if you mess up? Good. That means you’re doing something.

Relapsing into old habits doesn’t erase your progress, it just means you’re human. Dust yourself off, laugh, maybe ugly cry a little, then try again.

Step Seven: Hype Yourself Like You’re Your Own PR Manager

Self-talk matters more than your daily caffeine intake. (And yes, that’s saying a lot.)

Every time you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t do this,” respond with the mental version of finger guns and: “Watch me.”

Cheer yourself on. Be as proud of small wins as a dad at his kid’s T-ball game. Share your progress if it helps or write affirmations on Post-its and slap them on your mirror like you're prepping for a one-person TED Talk.

Your brain listens to you more than anyone else. Make sure it's hearing something good.

Step Eight: Surround Yourself With Vibes That Match Your Goals

You’ve heard it before: you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Well, what if those five people would rather binge reality TV and roast marshmallows than embrace change?

Not saying you need to dump all your friends (relax, Becky), but surround yourself with people who get it. Folks who are chasing similar goals, who can call you out and lift you up, not pull you back into the comfort zone like a human weighted blanket.

Don’t have those people IRL? Join online communities. Watch videos. Read blogs (like this one—you’re already winning).

Hashtag: find your tribe.

Step Nine: Make It Fun (Because Why Not?)

Look, personal growth doesn’t have to be a miserable bootcamp of pain and productivity hacks.

Make it fun.

Gamify your progress. Reward yourself with that fancy oat milk latte after doing the hard thing. Turn your goals into a bingo card. Put on ridiculous music while doing new things.

Life’s already serious enough. Inject joy wherever you can. Even if that means dancing in your pajamas after finally sending one scary email.

Step Ten: Remember You’re Not a Finished Product (Yet)

Here’s the final truth bomb: you’re not supposed to have it all figured out.

You’re allowed to pivot, evolve, start over. Even Beyoncé had a cringey early career phase—remember Destiny’s Child before the glow-up?

So give yourself permission to change. You don’t need perfection. You need progress.

You are a work in progress, not a failed masterpiece.

The sooner you let go of who you think you’re supposed to be, the sooner you'll become who you actually are.

Final Thoughts: You Got This, You Beautiful Work-in-Progress

Look, change sucks sometimes. We won’t sugarcoat it with glitter and motivational nonsense.

But you know what’s even worse?

Staying stuck in one place out of fear.

Use the tools. Take the tiny steps. Embrace the hot mess. Laugh at the chaos. And remind yourself daily: change isn’t the enemy—it’s your awkward, uncomfortable, yet fiercely loyal BFF.

So go ahead. Get uncomfortable. Mess up. Get back up.

Start small.

Start weird.

But for the love of all things caffeinated—just start.