by Francois Pretorius
Imagine a moment in your life when change loomed large—a crossroads demanding a leap into the unknown. For me, this pivotal moment arrived a few years ago while contemplating the seemingly downward trajectory of my life, akin to a contemporary version of Lady Macbeth. In this vulnerable moment, I rediscovered a profound truth: that change, however daunting, holds the key to growth and renewal.
But why does change evoke such complex emotions within us? And, crucially, how can we navigate these shifts more gracefully? These questions drove me to develop a personal approach to confront the fears that accompany our human journeys. By sharing my insights and the tools that guided me, I aim to illuminate a path towards embracing the necessary self-reflection needed to confront change with courage and clarity.
Familiarity with the Floor:
Returning to my awakening moment, picture a dreary autumn night a few years ago. There I lay, in the foetal position on the floor, tears flowing unabatedly. The words “I am stuck, and I hate the trajectory that I am on. I don’t know what to do; please help me” echoed through my mind. Desperate, I took a page from Liz Gilbert’s book and prayed for the first time in years. Like Liz, I received an answer from myself (Gilbert, 2006). But my inner voice is a tad snarkier than hers, and the message received was: “Buck up, cupcake. There are so many options available to you. Just explore them.” And so, unbeknownst to me, my foray into the world of futures thinking had begun. Though unfamiliar with the academic concept of plural futures, my spirit somehow discerned that there are always multiple options available to us.
Fast forward a few years, and my life is almost unrecognisable—the most significant metamorphosis being my transition from designer to full immersion in the futures field. But how did I reach that point of desolation that led me to channel my inner moaning Myrtle? The answer is succinct: fear of change. I understand that millennials like myself are expected to pivot at will, akin to a 20-year-old in a Zumba class. Yet, altering my life course was, and continues to be, challenging. When confronted with change, I envision myself resembling a semi-maudlin marsupial. I desperately cling to a tree for dear life, even as the forest burns and will continue ablaze for aeons.
While I once hoped this aversion to change was unique to my own psyche, it appears to be a fundamental aspect of human nature. Familiarity with our circumstances, however distressing, often feels more comforting than facing the uncertainties of the unknown. Studies indicate that our brains process uncertainty akin to failure, compelling us to seek resolution before finding comfort (Mautz, 2017)
Rolling Out the Welcome Mat:
So, with change being as much a part of this earthly reality as death, taxes, and running into someone you like at the shops when you’re looking at your absolute worst, what are we to do, my fellow marsupials? I propose that we start welcoming the fear of change, sit with it, and examine its depths. My argument is that only after becoming well acquainted with the fears surrounding the disruption of our status quo can we have any hope of mastering them.
With this in mind, I integrate elements from two exploratory tools that played significant roles in my personal growth journey: a fear inventory and a Causal Layered Analysis (CLA). My decision to embark on a complete 180-degree transformation of my life was influenced by my deep immersion in recovery literature. Through this exploration, I encountered the fear inventory, a fundamental 12-step program tool. These inventories serve as invaluable instruments for confronting and overcoming the fears that entrap us in dysfunctional patterns. In my case, these dysfunctional patterns manifested as harmful coping mechanisms used to numb myself, driven by a profound aversion to change.
The fear inventory begins by prompting individuals to list their fears. Subsequently, it guides them to explore the underlying causes by posing questions such as:
– What do I stand to lose?
– Will I be unable to pursue something I desire?
The third step involves identifying which aspects of the self might be affected, including considerations about:
– Self-esteem
– Security
– Ambitions
– Personal or intimate relationships
All of these might be perceived as threatened. Lastly, and arguably most crucially, the inventory promotes reflection on the decisions that have contributed to experiencing these fears, i.e., what is my part in it? (Ryan & Rae, 2023).
The CLA (Causal Layered Analysis) approach complements the fear inventory by facilitating the development of new narratives that align with evolving identities. By probing deeply into underlying layers of sense-making, it enables the formulation of fresh narratives and strategies, especially when the current ones prove ineffective (Inayatullah & Milojevic, 2015).
When applied personally, CLA delves into the narratives individuals construct about their lives, with the transformative potential to change these narratives into stories that better reflect envisioned futures. This approach encompasses four levels:
– Litany: The official, unquestioned version of the future is presented.
– Systemic Causes: Delves into social, technological, economic, environmental, and political causation, offering a systemic perspective. Data from the litany are thoroughly examined at this level.
– Worldview: Unpacks deeper, ideological assumptions.
– Myth/Metaphor: Explores the issue’s unconscious emotive dimensions, examining narratives that fundamentally shape our identities (Inayatullah, 2020).
The CLA approach not only provides an opportunity to question and reconstruct these narratives but also empowers individuals to craft new life stories and strategies, instilling a sense of hope and optimism (Inayatullah & Milojevic, 2015).
The exercise usually unfolds within a structured table format, presenting the four levels relevant to both the status quo and a preferred future. The table provides a tool for comparing and contrasting these layers between the existing reality and the envisioned future, offering a visual and analytical guide to understanding the transformative journey from the current state to a desired outcome. However, it’s important to note that while a traditional CLA doesn’t prioritise any specific layer, my personal approach to fear analysis aligns more closely with the principles of the narrative foresight school of thought. This approach emphasises uncovering the myths and metaphors shaping our beliefs. The argument is that by focusing on revealing these underlying myths behind our fears, we can use them to reshape the narratives hindering us from bringing desired changes into our lives (Inayatullah & Milojevic, 2015).
Making Our Way Down the Rabbit Hole:
When I find myself avoiding crucial changes necessary for personal growth, I activate this personal approach, blending these two methodologies. Specifically, this happens when I notice procrastination rooted in fear. I begin by lighting a candle and seeking guidance from the Universe, all while acknowledging the courage it takes to confront my fears. This ritual helps me because I believe that not all the answers to life’s questions reside solely within me and it also fosters a deeper connection with the world around me. This approach resonates with many, supported by research indicating that healthy spirituality can enhance resilience and positive emotions, with both influencing each other positively (Smith et al., 2012). However, I understand that spirituality might feel abstract to some, so feel free to skip this part if it doesn’t resonate.
The first proper step in the process corresponds to the first steps of both the CLA and fear inventory methods. It involves writing down a headline or summary of the fears that feel significant at the moment and are ultimately obstructing the desired changes in my life. For example, one may write: ‘I am scared that changing my career will temporarily affect my income.’ This step is straightforward, akin to what would be visible above the water in an iceberg metaphor. It’s about bringing the fear to the surface, acknowledging its presence, and preparing to delve deeper into its roots and implications.
The second step intertwines the systemic analysis of a CLA with the exploration of underlying causes of fear, as advocated by a fear inventory. This entails delving into the systemic factors contributing to the headline identified in step one. This step aligns with the fear inventory’s assessment of the aspects of the self that may be impacted by the realisation of the fear in question. To address this, I undertake a mini-analysis based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Despite my reservations about the hierarchical structure of Maslow’s theory, his categorisation of needs — physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualisation — offers insights into the internal pressures shaping my behaviour (Verywell Mind, 2024).
Regarding physiological needs essential for survival, a reduction in income may only affect the quality of food I consume to some extent. However, the potential impact becomes more pronounced concerning safety, encompassing financial security and health. A decrease in income might affect savings for retirement, necessitate downsizing living arrangements to a less secure neighbourhood, and impact access to healthcare, including health insurance. The social level of needs introduces further complexities, as a reduction in income evokes the fear of losing friends due to my potential inability to participate in our usual social activities. These social fears intertwine with esteem-based needs and associated fears, such as concerns about losing respect and admiration from peers and family. This is perhaps, in this instance, what scares me most. Concerning self-actualisation, fears arise from the potential difficulty in pursuing personal fulfilment when feeling isolated and depressed due to a lack of social engagement resulting from decreased income.
Step three involves delving even deeper into examining how my core beliefs or worldviews impact the fears at hand. This aligns with the fear inventory’s inquiry into understanding my role in this, i.e., how have I contributed to the development of this fear? In the context of fears related to a potential reduction in income, this entails introspection and questioning what I truly believe about money and its influence on my mindset. This step is made simpler by jotting down the beginnings of five sentences, starting with “I believe that…” related to the topic at hand. Upon reflection, complete each sentence and see what comes up. I, for instance, discovered, much to my chagrin, that I view money as a passport to social security and respect.
The final step is where things become genuinely uncomfortable, so I suggest you grab a safety blanket. Drawing from the CLA playbook, I concentrate on conjuring a mental image or metaphor associated with fear. For example, the visual that comes to mind is me standing on shaky foundations. This imagery arises from the realisation that fears linked to potential relationship loss due to financial instability expose an uncertain life footing. While economic insecurity is an everyday reality, something needs addressing if my relationships are so fragile that hardship could jeopardise them. I told you it gets uncomfortable. At this stage I encourage you to walk away, take a break and only return to the process when you feel good and ready.
There is a Bright Ball of Light at the End of the Tunnel:
Returning to level four with all the insights gained, the objective is to craft a metaphor or mental image that represents where I aspire to be once I’ve conquered this fear. For me, that image is “solid as a rock.” This choice effectively communicates the idea of unwavering strength and stability. (Coincidentally also prompting me to revisit the classic song of the same name by Ashford and Simpson.)
With our chosen metaphor firmly established, we circle back to level three. Here, the emphasis is on reshaping your belief system to align with the newly crafted metaphor. In this scenario, it involves revisiting my five “I believe” statements and flipping them in a manner that genuinely resonates with me. For example, they might now read as “I am valued and cherished regardless of my financial standing.”
With these newly adopted underlying beliefs firmly in place, it’s time to revisit the systemic level. Instead of dwelling solely on perceived losses, I intentionally express gratitude to the Universe for everything I currently cherish, including the love of family and friends. Following this, I contemplate ways to deepen these foundational relationships and make them even more meaningful. It could be as simple as compiling a list of individuals to reach out to and thank for their companionship on this journey or brainstorming ways to give back to the community while I am in a financial position to do so.
The essence here is to celebrate and leverage what you have in order to attract more of what you desire. Armed with this insight, I craft a new headline. It’s best to keep it concise, impactful, and easy to recall. In this instance, I settle on ‘Inspiring others by making difficult but needed changes.’ This headline encapsulates my goal of nurturing personal connections while also serving as a source of inspiration for others to take bold steps in their own lives.
Finally, I conclude this exercise by extinguishing the candle I lit at the beginning of the inventory, expressing gratitude to myself for embracing courage throughout the process.
What it all looks like in practice is as follows:
| STEPS: | STATUS QUO: | PREFERED FUTURE: |
| Headline of the fear | ‘Changing my career will affect my income.’ | ‘Inspiring others by making difficult but needed changes.’ |
| What lies beneath? | Losing my relationships. | Gratitude for the relationships that I have. |
| Why do I believe this? | Money leads to respect and acceptance. | I am valued and cherished regardless of my financial standing |
| What is the underlying metaphor? | Standing on shaky foundations. | Solid as a rock |
Let Go to Grow:
There you have it; that’s the practice. It might seem like a lot because it is. But you know what? It beats having a panic attack. By thoroughly examining the fears that keep us stuck, we often realise that they are just figments of our imagination, influenced by perceptions that lack a basis in reality. Nine times out of ten, I realise that the worldviews informing our fears contain no resonance in the real world and no longer serve us.
I understand that this process doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, but it effectively creates necessary distance between fears and the impulse to escape, allowing genuine, future-focused insights to emerge. While I’ve mainly used it personally, I’m confident it can be adapted for group settings, although those details are beyond this piece’s scope.
Whether you’re applying this process individually or with others, my goal is for it to comfort you and empower you to initiate the changes needed in your life before fear-induced procrastination takes hold. And even if you find yourself already in the midst of it, remember it’s never too late to take that leap from the tree you’ve so desperately been clinging to.
Bibliography
Bishop, P. C., & Hines, A. (2012). Teaching about the Future. Palgrave Macmillan. doi:DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137020703
Gilbert, E. (2006). Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. Penguin.
Inayatullah, S. (2020, June). Co-creating educational futures: contradictions between the emerging future and the walled past. Education, research and foresight: working papers.
Inayatullah, S. (2020, May 27). Co-creating educational futures: Contradictions between the emerging future and the walled past. UNESCO Education research and foresight papers.
Inayatullah, S., & Milojevic, I. (2015). Narrative Foresight. Futures, 73, 151-162.
Mautz, S. (2017, November 6). Science says this is why you fear change and what to do about it. Retrieved from Inc. Africa : https://www.incafrica.com/library/scott-mautz-science-says-this-is-why-you-fear-change-and-what-to-do-about-it
Ryan, J., & Rae, M. (2023, January 16). Note to Self: Write fear inventory. Retrieved from Graceful Growth: https://www.juanitaryan.com/note-to-self-write-fear-inventory/
Smith, B. W., Ortiz, A. J., Wiggings, K. T., Bernard, J. F., & Dalen, J. (2012). Spirituality, Resilience, and Positive Emotions. In L. J. Miller, The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality (pp. 437-454). Oxford Academic.
Verywell Mind. (2024, March 25). How Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explains Human Motivation. Retrieved from Verywell Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760
Francois Pretorius | Independent Researcher | Email: francois-pierre@live.co.za
