Let’s talk about change – why are we so bad at it?
Isn’t it funny? For a species that’s been around for a solid chunk of history, humans still find change utterly terrifying. We’d rather cling to what’s comfortable than embrace the unfamiliar.
With a quick hipity hop, I will jump straight to the point of this post, as its a subject that I am personally fascinated about……
EMBRACING CHANGE & REWIRING OUR MINDSET.
If we, as a human race, want to avoid hurtling ourselves straight into a desolate future, we’re going to have to change our habits. Yep, it’s time to swap out a few bad behaviours for ones that might actually give the planet a fighting chance.
We've all been there, that moment when we're fired up to start a new habit, like hitting the gym regularly or learning a new language and then a week later the excitement has dispersed and we’re dragging our lazy fleshy bodies reluctantly through the motions while our brain is yelling blue murder for us to stop.
So why are we so utterly resistant to change?
If we strip it back, it’s really our survival instincts at play. We’re wired to stick with the majority and follow what’s familiar – straying outside the cultural norm feels risky. In caveman days, safety was all about numbers; no one wanted to face those lurking big bad wolves alone.
But here’s the thing: if we don’t start warming up to change, the Earth might not be around for us to curl up on in a few generations time.
Below are the five most common reasons humans resist change, which hopefully will leave you with food for thought:
1. We love convenience over anything that disrupts our comfort.
It’s not that we don’t care; we just prefer things to be easy. But the truth is, sustainability isn’t about convenience – it’s about purpose. Do we really need a new Amazon delivery every day? Or to buy all your vegetables beautiful individually packed in that glorious (very unnecessary) plastic packaging?
2. People resist change if it feels like sacrifice.
The word "sacrifice" makes us squirm, but sustainability doesn’t mean giving up happiness. It’s about swapping in small, meaningful alternatives – rethinking our resources and reconsidering our consumption – and realising that what we gain is a healthier world.
3. We’re great at ignoring issues if they don’t affect us directly.
This one hits home. We’re pros at pretending the problem is someone else’s. But just because the air feels clean today doesn’t mean we can skip thinking about the future. This is our chance to lean in, make tiny changes, and recognise that today’s actions shape tomorrow’s world.
4. Most of us feel we’re “just one person,” so why bother?
Here’s a little secret: you’re not alone in that feeling. But change is contagious. One person refusing single-use plastic bags, choosing sustainable brands, or cutting down on car trips sparks a ripple effect. And a collective ripple? That’s powerful stuff.
5. The future can feel scary, and change makes it scarier.
Let’s be honest, change can be intimidating, especially when we’re staring down the barrel of a gun firing climate change at us. But if we’re brave enough to make these daily shifts, we get a future worth looking forward to. And who knows? We might even find that change isn’t so bad after all.
It’s time we started facing change with a little less dread and a little more courage. Because sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s our future. And maybe, just maybe, if we let go of our old ways and embrace this unfamiliar path, we’ll find it’s not as terrifying as we thought. In fact, some of those changes might actually benefit us in unexpected ways.