Why is Change So Hard?

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Here are my thoughts on the physiology of change and why change is so hard.

Ever wonder why change feels so exhausting?

Change disrupts your body’s internal equilibrium, known as homeostasis. Your brain is hardwired to prioritize safety, so when it detects a shift in your routine or environment, the amygdala often tags this change as a potential threat. This triggers an automatic "fight-or-flight" response, flooding your system with cortisol and adrenaline to prepare you for action.

Why is this so hard?

Triggering these chemical signals, firing new neurons, and restructuring your cells to meet new demands requires a massive expenditure of metabolic energy. Because your brain is evolutionarily designed to conserve energy for survival, it naturally resists this costly effort. This is why stepping out of your comfort zone feels physically difficult—your body is trying to protect its energy reserves.

However, this friction is necessary. The stress caused by change stimulates bioplasticity—the body's ability to repair, regenerate, and remodel itself to be stronger. While the initial energy cost is high, staying consistent builds new neural pathways that eventually make the new behavior automatic.

Check out the video above to learn this physiology so you can set the stage to turn the stress of change into a catalyst for growth.