The Anatomy of Change: The 8 Phases of Life-Altering Choice
Sometimes change is a choice… But it isn’t just a decision alone, it’s a process. And if you’ve lived in survival mode for any length of time, you know how complicated that process can feel. Survival mode teaches us to second-guess ourselves, to doubt our needs, and to silence the parts of us that long for relief. Over time, it makes even the thought of change feel unsafe.
That’s why I’ve created The Anatomy of Change: an eight-week exploration into the phases of making life-altering choices. This isn’t a “quick fix” or a motivational push. It’s a truthful map of what really happens inside of us when we step toward change.
For me, the catalyst was deciding to move forward with wrist surgery after more than twenty years of pain. It wasn’t just about repairing a joint, it was about finally trusting that my pain mattered. It was about choosing to no longer ignore what was holding me back, even if outside influences had made me feel like it wasn’t necessary.
But for you, the “surgery” might look completely different. Maybe it’s leaving a job that drains you. Maybe it’s setting a boundary in a relationship. Maybe it’s saying yes to something that’s been tugging at your soul for years. Whatever it is, the process follows a rhythm that is both deeply personal yet universally human.
Over the next eight weeks, we’ll walk through each of these phases together:
Fear of Change
Ignoring Pain
Hopeful Bargaining
Persistent Exposure
Acceptance of Ownership
Decisive Sacrifice
Devoted Pursuit
Renewed Embodiment
This introduction is your invitation to notice where you are on that map right now. It’s okay to not know exactly what these phases mean just yet, that’s what we’re going to explore over the next eight weeks. Are you still in the fear stage, wondering if you can handle what change would require? Are you ignoring the pain, telling yourself it’s not “bad enough” to do something about? Or are you somewhere further along, maybe ready to step into what that change might look and feel like?
💡 Reflection Prompt: Take a few minutes to journal or reflect on a change you’ve been avoiding. Which of the eight phases does it feel like you’re in today? Naming your place on the map is the first step toward moving forward with clarity.
Life truly begins the moment you decide to stop doubting your truth. When that happens, that brings change. And while choosing change that is in our best interest isn’t always easy, it’s honest, and that’s the important thing to remember: Honest choice will keep us anchored in authenticity. This eight-week journey is about giving you the language, the permission, and the courage to trust yourself when choosing what’s best for you.
I look forward to walking on this journey with you, and I wish you all of the clarity, peace, and confidence in the world to choose what YOU need.
If This Resonated
If this spoke to you on any level, you can dive deeper with me in the following ways:
All my love,
~ Austen 🫶🏼
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