The Beauty in Change

Metathesiophobia

In the process of evolution and thick progression as a human race, something that we unconsciously dread is a loss of control. We, as a member of our family, member of a society and as a member of human civilization have been taught to control everything; thoughts, feelings, moods, behaviors. The expression of the authenticity of yourself is being conditioned since centuries to formulate mass control and order over human behavior.

Metathesiophobia is an irrational and an exaggerated fear of change.

This has structured us in the similar way which has been a normal manner of our existence now. We love to be in control, we control our emotions, our feelings, our relationships, our families, our work, practically our whole life! This pattern is wired in us and this is what we are unconsciously passing down through generations. This pattern is so hard wired that we suck off and chop off all the probable variables so that ours and the lives of the coming generations (our children) move in a set, controlled structure that we have somewhere collectively pre-decided. In this whole process of parental and social hard wiring, the whole new generation starts structuring their very existence within that confined route. This marks the very beginning of a huge tsunami of Metathesiophobia.

In this set structure even a thought of change causes severe anxiety and we experience the most dreaded fears which we, before encountering this situation didn’t even know existed. This is the fear of loss of control. If this is what just the thought of change does, imagine what would actual change do? Metathesiophobia, which was earlier very uncommon is now grabbing attention because of its gradual yet consistent appearances in our lives. Not at all times but often, change has been a cause of anxiety for each one of us. We are so set in the structure of things that be it change of a job, a relationship, a house, your health or ones physical appearance, change always seems to bother us.

Something we all need to understand, is that, if there is anything certain about life, then it is change. It is obvious to be disturbed when we see things change which we are attached to. However in acceptance of changing, fighting them, denying them, wailing about them makes things worse. Subjectively if there is a rigid avoidance to change, its roots run deep in issues of unresolved trauma, unacknowledged emotions and so on.

There are a few self help techniques that can ease the discomfort created by change.

• Do your research on your ideas of change and track if the fear of change is yours or if it is passed down by your significant others like your parents, your partner, society or your peers, etc.

• Rationalize your actions that are in response to your fear of change. Embrace them, give them time rather than avoiding them.

• Consciously re-learning new behavior to overcome the association that “change is bad”, “things need to stay the same forever”, and any such patterned thoughts. The process is difficult yet effective.

• Zoom out and look at the scenario, this will give you a broader perspective and a fresh outlook on the things you are facing.

• Develop a routine to make change a part of your normal life. Try putting mindful efforts on seeing the flip side of the situation i.e putting deliberate efforts to find beauty in change.

• Don’t be shy to seek professional help.

• The root of this fear of change is deeply embedded in one’s psyche. To trace the roots one can go under Hypnotherapy sessions. These can help the individual to face the source of the issue and relearn things and thoughts associated to change.

• Once the roots of the issue are traced, gradual exposure to changes can be one of the most beautiful journeys of life.

• Something we all need to comprehend is that this is neither an illness nor a sign of weakness. It is something I would like to call a price we all are silently paying for controlled evolution as an intelligent and productive race on Earth.

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance! "

– Alan Watts