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Working Through Anxiety: Change and New Beginnings

Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries, 

Starting something new is scary. Whether it’s a new job, a move to a different city, beginning therapy, or even something as simple (and not so simple) as forming a new habit, there’s a vulnerability that comes with stepping into the unknown. And as Ross from Friends once dramatically exclaimed, “Nobody likes change!” We laugh because it’s true. Change can feel like the rug being pulled out from under us, even when it’s a change we’ve chosen. But here’s the paradox: as much as we resist it, change is constant. Very little in our lives will stay the same and that’s not just a cliché; it’s a fact of being human.

So, what do we do with the anxiety that creeps in when change is on the horizon, or is already here? First, we ground ourselves. This blog (and my therapy practice) is heavily focused on mindfulness and grounding so of course that's what I recommend first. Take a deep breath and take a moment to recognize whatever it is you're feeling and where you're feeling it in your body. For the majority of us, we store anxiety or uncertainty in our lower back, stomach, hands and shoulders, but you know you best so pay attention to your body and focus in on that area. 

After grounding and finding those feelings in our body, we have to acknowledge whatever it is we're experiencing. Feeling unsettled, uncertain, or even scared is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that something important is happening and it means a lot to you. Our brains are wired for familiarity, it helps us feel safe. So, when something shifts, our internal alarms go off. Understanding this as a biological and emotional response, not a personal flaw, can help soften the self-judgment we sometimes carry.

Next, we can gently remind ourselves that fear and growth often show up together. Think of any major milestone in your life: the first day at a new school, your first relationship, a big decision you made even when you weren’t 100% sure. Growth tends to live on the edge of discomfort. That doesn’t mean we have to bulldoze through change with blind optimism. It means we learn to hold space for discomfort and curiosity. We ask ourselves: “What might be possible if I give this change a chance?”

Therapy itself is often a space where people come because something has already changed or needs to. It takes courage to show up and say, I want something different, even if I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet. And from where I sit, as a Trauma Therapist, that bravery never goes unnoticed. The process of exploring what’s hard, what’s shifting, and what’s possible is deeply human. We don't have to have it all figured out. We just need a little willingness to begin.

If you’re facing change right now- chosen or unexpected- I want you to know this: your feelings are valid, your anxiety makes sense, and you don’t have to go through it alone. Change is rarely comfortable, but it’s often where we find new parts of ourselves. And sometimes change can lead to things better than we imagined.

You’ve got this, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. And if you need support along the way, that’s what your support team is here for.

Until next time- be kind to your mind.

—The Therapist Diaries

 

For professional inquiries please reach out to georgina.m.lloyd@outlook.com 

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