kristineaustin2008@gmail.com6 Steps to Release Resistance to Change
——————————————————————————————————————–
The most important question to ask is: How badly do I want this outcome? Before you move on to reading about the steps to release resistance to change, ask yourself that question. How badly do you want it? …..How badly do you want to change? Score it on a scale of one(1) to ten(10). With ten (10) being the most desire for the outcome and one(1) the least desire. If you are above a level seven (7), read on…. If you are not, read on anyways.
Why do we have resistance?
Resistance is an internal obstacle that can keep us from achieving what we desire. Releasing resistance is important to getting what you want. So…. why do we have resistance? We resist change because we are trying to keep ourselves safe and comfortable and because it is easy to remain the same. We resist change because we are afraid. We are afraid of what comes next. Like Marianne Williamson says, “It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” People fear being different and not recognizing themselves. It’s just as much a fear of the unknown as it is a fear of what we think. What we think could happen or not happen. What could be or not be. When we have a desire that requires change, resistance can come up because you fear loss of control, because of past trauma, fear of negative feedback, uncertainty, unfamiliarity, insecurity, past failures, bad timing, or the process the change requires makes you feel overwhelmed and so many more reasons. It takes courage to step into change. We don’t have to release resistance, we don’t have to change, but as long are you don’t, you will struggle. Change can be difficult, but hypnosis can help make it a much faster and easier process.
How does resistance show up?
Resistance can show up in many ways. It’s an energy within us that we can feel, yet sometimes we are not even aware of it. It can feel like an over consuming tightness. Tension in our bodies. Pain in our necks. Resistance mostly comes down to a feeling or more than one feeling at once. Then that leads to an action. One that is opposite to what you really want. Just think about it, you want to start eating healthy, you make a plan and you say you are going to start Monday. Monday comes and you feel this energy, this feeling within you that says “eh, I much prefer some bread.” You say or feel, “Eating that bread would make me feel good now.” And you make the same old food choice. Yet you feel bad afterwards. It is so easy to do the same old thing. And that feeling that kept you from making the choice towards your goal, whatever it was for you is how resistance showed up. People numb out with excessive drinking, addiction, food disorders, even overworking. Or they have anger, frustration, sadness, depressions, anxiety, procrastination, needing to be in control, fear, these are all ways in which resistance can show up.
So what can you do about it?
Here are 6 Steps to Release Resistance:
1) Acknowledge the Resistance:
The first step to release the resistance is to acknowledge it. Become aware of how you are resisting change with a non-judging heart and make note of that. Notice your unwillingness to make the change. Ask yourself, what do I want? How and I resisting it? What am I doing or not doing? What’s keeping me from my goal? It may not seem to be a logical behavior or feeling to you, but becoming aware gives you a better idea on what to work on…how to proceed. This allows you to see where the problem stems from and create solutions.
2) Forgive Yourself:
It is so important to be forgiving of ourselves for our own well being and mental health. Accept responsibility for your actions and make amends. The worse you feel about your resistance, the more your self-esteem and self confidence is lowered and you will be less likely and less motivated to change. I know I don’t ever feel like making a change when I’m in a self-blame cycle. In fact, it makes me want to do the bad behavior even more. The good news is that you can resolve to change your behavior and forgive yourself at the same time. Let yourself off the hook. It’s alright. We all resist change at times. Focus on what you learned and how you can grow and make your changes from there.
3) Acceptance:
Have acceptance of what is. When we accept what is, we can release our resistance and we can experience peace. Feel that release in your body now. Feel your shoulders drop as you accept and let go now. It is safe for you to do so. Letting go of resistance and accepting ourselves and the present moment is an ongoing practice. Accept that it is normal to resist change. You almost have to expect that you will have resistance at some point about something, so it doesn’t come as a surprise if resistance shows up. From there you can take action. “We can not change anything until we accept it.” – Carl Jung
4) Gratitude:
Take a moment to notice all the things that you are grateful for. Even if just five things. When you are in gratitude you have immediately released resistance. You are no longer in resistance. Your are vibrating at a much higher level than resistance. You are in the space of joy, and love and you are sending a clear message to the rest of your body and mind that it is safe to relax and release resistance. Go ahead and do that now, see how being in gratitude you are immediately free from resistance. Your gratitude has shifted your energy. Isn’t that amazing? You immediate have more energy. The energy necessary to go towards your goal. “When you release resistance you become a magnet for greatness.” – Gabrielle Bernstein
5) Hypnosis:
Hypnosis is a great tool to help you move past resistance to change. Through hypnosis you can move past those resistant saboteurs in a much faster way than you would with will power alone. In hypnosis you become deeply relaxed and turn off the critical and analytical part of the mind to access the subconscious part of the mind. The subconscious part of the mind is where all of our habits, past experiences, memories, beliefs, and emotions lie. In this deeply relaxed state we can speak directly to the subconscious that is now more open to suggestion and re- program it. In other words, hypnosis allows us to give the subconscious new information that lead you towards the change you want to make and remove those negative resisting thinking patterns that are holding us back. You are able to visualize yourself being the change, see yourself taking the actions required towards your goal, and release the blocks that kept you from your goal. You are firing new neurons and making new connections so that when you go to take action towards your goal, it already feels and is more familiar. Making the change process safe, comfortable and faster.
To do hypnosis you can listen to a hypnosis recording, you can practice self-hypnosis, or you can book private hypnotherapy sessions.
Self-hypnosis is similar to traditional hypnosis, but you are doing this on your own. It is very simple and you can get started right away. You follow a self guided script to lead you to relaxation, then you repeat powerful positive affirmations to begin reprogramming your subconscious mind. The affirmations must be positively worded. All self hypnosis requires is a few minutes to yourself, a comfortable place to sit or lie down and your personal affirmations. Self-hypnosis is something we will teach you at your first private hypnotherapy appointment and can be dome any time.
Another option is that you can listen to a hypnosis recording. It is similar to a private session because you are listening to a hypnotherapist following a guided relaxation script that is specific to your goal. Following the guided relaxation script, you enter into hypnosis and from there you are able to access the subconscious and reprogram it with the new desired goal.
Private sessions are more personal. We work directly with your particular trouble stops and transform them. Every part of the session is catered to you and your goal and is the fastest way to seeing results.
A 1970 study by Alfred Barrios found that you can see 93% improvement from hypnotherapy after 6 sessions versus 38% improvement after 600 psychotherapy sessions. That’s a heck of a lot faster. And who doesn’t want to see results faster.
6) Take the actions steps that you CAN do without judgement:
Keep going. Keep building that momentum. Do whatever actions steps feel best to you at the moment towards your goal. Make a plan of small realistic steps and be persistent.
These actions steps can simply be to keep up with your hypnosis practice at first. Because the more you do it the deeper it goes and the longer it lasts. You will begin taking steps naturally and effortlessly towards your goal. You will begin to notice everything around you changing. You will begin to open up yourself to opportunities and achieve your goal. You already are. Continue to focus on what you DO want.
I am rooting for you!! Cant wait to hear what and how you have changed. I am so excited to see you succeed!
With so much love,
Kristine Austin
