Fear of Change – Change Can Be Good

by Dr. Ormond L. Wimberly, Jr., PhD 

After twenty-five years of separation, Ralph and Ken had renewed their relationship at their high school reunion. They lost contact after high school. Ken didn’t take long to notice that Ralph hadn’t made any shift from high school to life. He hadn’t matured in twenty-five years. How does this happen? What challenges shaped his present thinking and lack of personal growth?  Ken repeatedly listened to his old friend say that he avoided situations that made him uncomfortable. He liked to keep things simple. Anything outside of normal made him question his ability to accomplish it, although he felt capable. Sometimes, just thinking about changing brings fear and anxiety. This attitude of fear of change resulted in Ralph never developing emotionally. Not personally growing or evolving is the devastating consequence of fear. We all inherently know that change is inevitable…growth is optional. Knowing that change will occur naturally, one would think that some personal responsibility for the change would be assumed. However, this isn’t the case for individuals who suffer from metathesiophobia. This is just a big name for fear of change.

Metathesiophobia is a real mouthful. The phobia part means that a person has an exaggerated, inexplicable, and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation, or is afraid or apprehensive. With metathesiophobia, a person is worried and anxious about challenging their abilities, let alone their beliefs. This phobia paralyzes those captured by it. Despite knowing, rationally, they need to act instead of being acted upon, they aren’t able to. Furthermore, some individuals will outright tell you they fear change. Fear haunts them day and night. Fear speaks to them in different ways. Fear consumes them. Fear isolates them. Their fear talks them out of taking the necessary steps to grow and improve.  Fear will control you.

Fear is a formidable opponent. It takes no prisoners. And it’s a mind thing. People convince themselves that, despite the evidence, they can’t do something.

Fear remains the Achilles heel of many individuals who refuse to win the battle. Fear robs them of their dreams and steals their contribution to society. An individual’s potential is often taken to the grave with them. Too many of life’s greatest successes are found in the cemetery, listed under what might have been.

You are more than what has happened to you. Are there obstacles to overcome? Absolutely. Without struggle, there can be no growth. Dare to be more than you have been. Greatness is in you, but we often can’t see it.  Fear means false evidence appearing real, so don’t accept the false evidence and don’t allow fear to stop you. Choose to take a stand today and loudly and proudly say “No more!”. You can rise above your current circumstances. Nothing can prevent you from blossoming into that beautiful flower for all to appreciate.

Are you still carrying yesterday around your neck like an anchor? Are you allowing the past to control your tomorrow? Are you allowing metathesiophobia to rob you of success?

Think about it. To thine own self be true.