fear of change essay

How to Overcome the Fear of Change

Become the author of your own life..

Posted September 18, 2018 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

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We fear change because we can’t anticipate the outcome.

However, staying put can be riskier than changing. Whether it’s in your career or a relationship, you risk being left behind if you don’t continue to grow.

The paradox is that although we reject uncertainty, we have the skills to change and evolve. Fear is an emotion that gets in the way—we lose clarity about our potential.

On one hand, we are hardwired to resist uncertainty—our brain prefers a predictable, negative outcome over an uncertain one. On the other hand, our mind is flexible and adaptive—it can be trained to thrive in change.

Our fear of change is based on stories—both real and the imagined ones we tell ourselves. We narrate our lives as if they are out of our control—we feel as we are playing a part someone else wrote for us.

Your life is not a book written by others—create your own storyline. The fact that most outcomes are out of your control doesn’t mean you can’t play a more active role.

If you want a different outcome, start by changing your mentality. You are not just a character; you are the author of your life.

Stories: Why We Fear Change

1. Uncertainty feeds our fears.

Your brain likes being in control. The hunger for certainty is one of the brain’s five functions . Uncertainty generates a strong alert response in our limbic system; that’s why we worry. That’s why we speculate—we’d rather create a fictional story than not know what will happen.

2. Accepting life’s impermanence makes us suffer too.

We have a hard time moving on. When a job or a relationship—even the summer—is over, we get stuck. We keep rehashing old stories instead of opening our minds to what’s next.

A study on building bridges between Buddhism and Western Psychology shows how embracing impermanence counteracts the negative cycles of rumination. When we accept that every story in life has an ending, we can relax.

3. Our fear of failure also feeds our aversion to change.

But striving for perfectionism can have the opposite effect. When we are under pressure, we make more mistakes. To become the author of your life starts by reframing your relationship with uncertainty, impermanence, and perfectionism.

Here are some steps you can use.

1. A chapter is not the book.

To start a new chapter in your life, you have to finish one first. Sometimes we resist the end of a particular phase in our lives—we confuse the chapter with the book. You can write endless stories in your life. Leave room for new chapters—move on from past stories.

Life is like a book—you have to turn the page to start a new chapter .

2. Your storyline is full of choices.

When you approach life as a writer, you start seeing possibilities. You learn to put expectations aside and focus on what you can control. Become the creator of your plot, not just a spectator.

Your life is not the product of your circumstances; it’s the product of your choices.

3. Embrace being imperfect.

The first paragraph is the most difficult. It takes courage to cross the line of uncertainty. Hemingway said, “The first draft of anything is sh*t.” The Nobel Prize winner kept track of his daily progress on a wall. Hemingway wasn’t just talented—he was committed to writing every day.

Every story can be perfected. But first, you must write the first draft.

4. You can’t control others.

Great movie characters—just like real people—have a life of their own. A screenwriter can define their names, lines, and personalities. However, once actors start playing their characters, they will take a life of their own. They follow their instincts, not the script.

If you want people to give you their best, set them free.

5. Be ready for unexpected twists.

Even the best authors suffer from writer’s block. They know they must try something different. The same applies to you. Experiment. Change your routine. Go for a walk if you feel stuck. Do something outside your comfort zone.

If you want a different outcome, add a plot twist.

6. Failure is a stop, not a destination.

Not every chapter or episode will be successful. And that’s okay—you can always write a new one. The beauty of life is that you can course correct. Richard Branson said, “In business, if you realize you’ve made a bad decision, you change it.” Don’t feel frustrated about what didn’t go your way. Use that energy to write the next chapter.

Decisions are impermanent, just like life.

7. Let go of your manuscript.

We fear the unexpected. However, most surprises in life become great memories. You can’t control your life. Write your script one scene at a time; don’t anticipate the whole plot. Bring your ideas to the real world and see what happens.

Don’t resist the unexpected—use it as feedback to live a memorable life.

Don’t close the door to new chapters. When we want to protect ourselves from uncertainty, we lose awareness of the present moment. And we stop enjoying what life gives us.

Avoid living on autopilot—every day is an opportunity to write a new chapter in your life. Stephen King’s novel Carrie was rejected by 30 publishers before it saw the light of the day.

Don’t give up and enjoy the ride.

Gustavo Razzetti is a change leadership consultant and speaker who helps build a culture of change. He writes at the intersection of self-awareness, creativity, and resilience.

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Fear of change (9 Causes & Ways to overcome)

Fear of change is a common phenomenon in humans. Why do humans fear change so much?

Once you understand what’s going on in your mind that makes you fear change, you can better curb this tendency in yourself.

In this article, we’ll discuss in-depth what causes fear of change and then look at some realistic ways to overcome it.

Change can be positive or negative. We can’t know if a change has been good for us or not until time passes and lifts the curtains on the outcomes.

However, it can be safely argued that change often makes us better. It helps us grow. We should be aiming for it. The problem is: We’re highly resistant to change even when we know it can be good for us.

So in combating resistance to change, we essentially have to fight against our own nature. But what does that even mean? Who’s fighting against whom?

Reasons for fear of change

Both nature and nurture can drive the fear of change. Other times, fear of change may mask an underlying fear like the fear of failure. Let’s go over some of the common reasons people fear change.

1. Fear of the unknown

When we try to make a change in our lives, we’re stepping into the realm of the unknown . The mind likes familiarity because it knows how to deal with it.

People often talk about the comfort zone, referring to the boundary within which a person confines their actions. Breaking out of this comfort zone then means expanding this boundary by trying new things.

The same also applies to the mind.

We have a mental comfort zone as well within which we confine our ways of thinking, learning, experimenting and problem-solving . Stretching the boundaries of this zone means putting more pressure on one’s mind. It creates mental discomfort because the mind has to deal with, process, and learn new things.

But the mind wants to save its energy . So it prefers to stay in its comfort zone. The human mind consumes a significant portion of calories. Thinking is not free. So you better have a good reason to expand your mental comfort zone or your mind will resist it.

The unknown is a breeding ground for anxiety . When we don’t know what’s going to happen, the tendency is to assume that the worst will happen. Imagining worst-case scenarios is the mind’s way to protect you and persuade you to revert to the realm of the known.

Of course, the unknown may not be free of risks, but the mind is biased toward worst-case scenarios even if the best-case scenarios are equally likely.

“There cannot be a fear of the unknown because the unknown is devoid of information. The unknown is neither positive nor negative. It is neither frightening nor elating. The unknown is blank; it is neutral. The unknown itself has no power to elicit a fear.” – Wallace Wilkins

2. Uncertainty intolerance

This is closely related to the previous reason but there’s an important difference. Fear of the unknown says:

“I don’t know what I’m stepping into. I don’t know if I can deal with what’s there. I think what’s there isn’t good.”

Uncertainty intolerance says:

“I can’t tolerate the fact that I don’t know what’s coming. I always want to know what’s coming.”

Studies have shown that being uncertain about the future can create the same painful feelings as a failure. To your brain, if you’re uncertain, you’ve failed.

These painful feelings motivate us to remedy our situation. When you feel bad from being uncertain, your mind sends you bad feelings to restore certainty. Remaining uncertain for prolonged periods can thus result in a persistent bad mood.

2. Habit-driven creatures

We like certainty and familiarity because these conditions allow us to be habit-driven. When we’re habit-driven, we conserve a lot of mental energy. Again, it goes back to saving energy.

Habits are the mind’s way of saying:

“This works! I’m going to continue doing it without expending energy.”

Since we’re a pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding species, our habits are always connected to a reward. In ancestral times, this reward consistently increased our fitness (survival and reproduction).

For example, eating fatty foods may have been highly advantageous in ancestral times when food was scarce. Fat can be stored and its energy can be utilized at a later time.

Today, at least in developed countries, there’s no scarcity of food. Logically, people living in these countries shouldn’t eat fatty foods. But they do because the logical part of their brain cannot suppress the more emotional, pleasure-driven, and primitive part of their brain.

The emotional part of their mind’s like:

“What do you mean not eat fatty foods? It has worked for millennia. Don’t tell me to stop now.”

Even if people know, consciously, that fatty foods are harming them, the emotional part of their mind often comes out as the clear winner. Only when things go from bad to worse may the emotional part of the brain wake up to reality and be like:

“O Oh. We screwed up. Maybe we need to re-think what works and what doesn’t.”

Similarly, other habits that we have in our life are there because they’re attached to some evolutionarily relevant reward. The mind would rather be stuck in those habit patterns than bring about change.

Conscious mind-driven positive change, such as developing good habits , scares and irritates the subconscious, habit-driven part of the mind.

3. The need for control

One of the fundamental human needs is to be in control. Control feels good. The more we can control the surrounding things, the more we can use them to reach our goals.

When we step into the unknown, we lose control. We don’t know what we’re going to deal with or how- a very powerless situation to be in.

4. Negative experiences

So far, we’ve been discussing the universal aspects of human nature that contribute to fearing change. Negative experiences can exacerbate this fear.

If every time you tried to make a change, life came crashing down, then you’re likely to fear change. Over time, you learn to associate change with negative outcomes.

5. Beliefs about change

Negative beliefs about change can also be passed to you via the authority figures in your culture. If your parents and teachers always taught you to avoid change and ‘settle’ for things even when they’re not good for you, that’s what you’ll do.

6. Fear of failure

No matter how many times you tell yourself that ‘failures are the stepping stones to success’ or ‘failure is feedback’, you’ll still feel bad when you fail. The bad feelings we get when we fail allow us to process the failure and learn from it. You don’t need any pep talk. The mind knows what it’s doing.

But because the feelings associated with failure are so painful, we seek to avoid them. We try to prevent ourselves from failing so we can avoid the pain of failure. When we know that the pain caused by failure is for our own good, we can avoid avoiding it.

7. Fear of losing what we have

At times, change means having to give up what we have now to get more of what we want in the future. The problem with humans is that they get attached to their current resources. Again, this goes back to how our ancestral environments had scarce resources.

Holding on to our resources would’ve been advantageous in our evolutionary past. But today, if you’re an investor, you’d be making a poor decision by not making investments i.e. losing some of your resources to gain more later.

Similarly, losing your current habit patterns and ways of thinking may cause discomfort, but you might be better off if you lose them for good.

Sometimes, to get more we need to invest, but it’s hard to convince the mind that losing resources is a good idea. It wants to hold on to every last drop of its resources.

8. Fear of success

People may consciously want to improve themselves and be more successful. But if they don’t really see themselves succeeding, they’ll always find ways to sabotage themselves. Our lives tend to be consistent with our self-image.

This is why those who become successful often say that they felt successful, even when they were not. They knew it was going to happen.

Of course, no one can know what’s going to happen.

What they’re trying to say is that they had constructed this image of themselves in their mind- who they wanted to be. Then they pursued it. The mental work comes first and then you figure out how to do it.

9. Fear of criticism

Human beings are tribal animals. We have a need to belong to our tribe- the need to feel included. This breeds in us the tendency to conform to others. When we’re like our group members , they’re more likely to think of us as one of them.

Thus, when someone tries to change in ways their group doesn’t approve of, they face resistance from others. They’re criticized and ostracized by the group. Hence, for fear of offending others, one may seek to avoid change.

Instant versus delayed gratification

In most cases, people resist change not because they fear criticism or have negative beliefs about change. They fear change because they can’t win the battle against their own nature. They want to change, logically, but fail again and again to make any positive change.

As mentioned earlier, it comes down to the logical part of the brain versus the emotional brain. Our conscious mind is much weaker than our subconscious mind.

Thus, we’re more habit-driven than we are choice-driven.

This dichotomy in our minds is reflected in our day-to-day life. If you’ve reflected on your good and bad days, you must have noticed that the good days are often those that are choice-driven and the bad ones are habit-driven.

There’s hardly a third way to live your day. You either have a good or a bad day .

A good day is when you’re proactive, stick to your plans, relax, and have some fun. You make deliberate choices and feel in control. Your conscious mind is in the driver’s seat. You’re mostly in delayed gratification mode.

A bad day is when you’re predominantly driven by the emotional brain. You’re reactive and are caught in an endless loop of habits you feel little control over. You’re in instant gratification mode.

Why does instant gratification hold such power over us?

For most of our evolutionary history, our environments didn’t change much. More often than not, we had to react to threats and opportunities instantly. See a predator, run. Find food, eat it. Pretty much like how other animals live.

Since our environments didn’t change significantly, this habit of responding immediately to threats and opportunities stuck with us. If an environment changes significantly, our habits have to change as well because we can no longer interact with it the way we used to.

Our environment has only changed dramatically in the past few decades and we haven’t caught up. We’re still prone to responding to things instantly.

This is why people get easily derailed when working on long-term goals. We’re simply not designed to pursue long-term goals .

We have this bubble of our awareness that covers mainly the present, some portion of the past, and some of the future. Many people have a to-do list for today, few have one for the month and fewer have goals for the year.

The mind isn’t designed to care for what happens that far into the future. It’s beyond our bubble of awareness.

If students are given a month to prepare for an exam, rationally, they should spread their preparation equally over the 30 days to avoid stress. Doesn’t happen. Instead, most of them put maximum effort in the last days? Why?

Because the exam is now within their bubble of awareness- it’s now an instant threat.

When you’re working and you hear your phone’s notification, why do you leave your work and attend to the notification?

The notification is an instant opportunity to get a reward.

Instant. Instant. Instant!

Get rich in 30 days! Lose weight in 1 week!

Marketers have long exploited this human need for instant rewards.

Overcoming the fear of change

Based on what’s causing the fear of change, following are the ways in which it can be overcome:

Tackling underlying fears

If your fear of change results from an underlying fear like the fear of failure, you need to change your beliefs about failure.

Know that failure is going to feel bad, and that’s okay- there’s a purpose to that. If the change you’re trying to bring about is worth it, the failures you encounter along the way will seem insignificant.

If fear of criticism is behind your fear of change, then you might have fallen into the conformity trap. Are they really worth conforming to?

Re-framing change

If you’ve had negative experiences with change, you can overcome this by embracing change more often. It’s not fair to declare that all change is bad if you’ve only given a few chances to change.

The more you embrace change, the more likely you’ll encounter one that’ll change you for good. People give up on change too soon without trying enough times. Sometimes, it’s just a numbers game.

When you see the positive impact change has had on you, you’ll begin to see change positively.

Overcoming natural human weakness

You now understand why we’re prone to chase instant gratification and seek instant pain avoidance. We can’t really fight these tendencies. What we can do is leverage them to bring about positive changes in our lives.

For example, say you want to lose weight. If you’re overweight, the goal seems too big and too distant in the future.

If you break the goal down into easy, manageable steps, it no longer seems that scary. Instead of focusing on what you’ll accomplish 6 months later, focus on what you can accomplish this week or today. Then rinse and repeat.

This way, you keep your goal within your bubble of awareness. The small wins you gain along the way appeal to your instant gratification-hungry brain.

Life is chaotic and you’re likely to get derailed. The key is to get back on track. Consistency is all about consistently getting back on track. I recommend tracking your goals on a weekly or a monthly basis. Progress is motivating.

The same applies to changing habits. Overcome your natural tendency to conquer a big goal in one go (Instant!). It doesn’t work. I suspect we do this so we can have a justifiable excuse to quit sooner (“See, it doesn’t work”) and go back to our old patterns.

Instead, go one small step at a time. Fool your mind into thinking that the large goal is really a small, instantly attainable goal.

When you break your goal down into small chunks and hit them one by one, you’re leveraging both immediacy and emotions. The satisfaction gained by checking off stuff keeps you moving forward. It’s the grease in the engine of bringing about positive change.

Believing you can reach your goals and visualizing you’ve attained them is helpful for the same reasons. They reduce the psychological distance between where you are and where you want to be.

Many experts have stressed the importance of ‘knowing your why’ i.e. having a purpose that drives your goals. Purpose appeals to the emotional part of the brain as well.

Hi, I’m Hanan Parvez (MA Psychology). I’ve been writing about Psychology for 9+ years. My work has been featured in Forbes , Business Insider , Reader’s Digest , and Entrepreneur . If you have any queries, use the contact form or reach out to me on my socials.

The Fear of Change: Psychological Issues Essay

Fiorina’s speech focuses on the basics of change and fear. The key lesson here is that innovation revolves around taking risks and is always associated with trying something new. According to Fiorina, to effect change, one must generate the strength to undermine the hold of the current system (Stanford University, 2008). As a result, change terrifies people because it indicates unpredictable outcomes. Our brains are designed to find comfort in information. When people do not know what will happen, they envisage possibilities, which causes anxiety. If something familiar ends, people find it difficult to go on (Mandriota, 2022). The fear of failing contributes to a fear of change. If people are unclear about how something will turn out since the outcomes may be wrong, they may decide not to do anything.

To differing degrees, change terrifies everyone globally; however, there are comfort zones. Neuroscience studies show that our brains interpret uncertainty as failing, an impact of fear. It seems to sense that many people would like to avoid change because the feelings that go along with it may be so unpleasant (Stanford University, 2008). Even if it is common to find differences disturbing, some people could be experiencing something a little more serious. Additionally, Metathesiophobia, another contributing element, constitutes impacts of fear of change that may be debilitating and difficult to control.

A few years before I started my MBA classes, I used to fear change. I opted to stay at my previous toxic company despite wanting to create a new career there. This aversion to change prevented me from starting a new career. I was wary about starting something new with distinctive methods, a separate vision, and a distinct objective. By embracing vulnerability and change, I overcame my fear of change. Being exposed, I was in a situation where I could face my worries. It made me understand that even though I might not be in control of a problem, I can still handle and get through it.

Mandriota, Morgan. (2022). “How to Cope with the Fear of the Unknown.” Verywell Mind , Verywell Mind. Web.

Stanford University. (2008). Carly Fiorina: The Dynamics of Change and Fear . [YouTube] Web.

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Why You Have Fear of Change & All the Ways to Overcome It!

Updated: October 19, 2023

Published: February 27, 2020

Everyone experiences their own level of fear of change. That’s why comfort zones exist. You’re not alone in these feelings surrounding change. In fact, neuroscience has shown that uncertainty feels similar to failure in our brains. That’s why so many people would rather avoid change because of how uncomfortable the associated feelings can be.

While it’s natural to feel that change is scary, some people may be dealing with something more serious. That something more is called metathesiophobia, and it’s such an intense fear of change that it can be paralyzing and very hard to live with.

We will look at what it means to fear change, common symptoms of metathesiophobia, how to live with the fear of change, and methods to overcome such feelings.

Photo by  Tim Gouw  on  Unsplash

What is fear of change.

Labeled metathesiophobia, this level of fearing change causes persistent unrealistic and intense anxiety when facing new situations or experiences.

Common Symptoms of Metathesiophobia

Those who have metathesiophobia may experience:

Examples of a Fear of Change

There are many different life experiences where people suffer from a fear of change rather than choosing to make the change, even when making the change is the better decision.

For example, a person may choose to stay in a toxic relationship because they are scared of the alternative of being single or having to go on dates to find a new partner.

Another example is when people stay put in jobs that make them miserable or leave them feeling unsatisfied because they are scared to start a new job.

As you can see, the optimal solution would be to move on and try something new. But, when you’re stuck in a situation and have metathesiophobia, you cannot see so clearly.

Why Do We Fear Change?

We fear change because it means that outcomes are unknown. Our brains are designed to find peace in knowing. When we don’t know what will happen, we make up scenarios and, in turn, create worry.

Humans find it hard to move on when something known comes to an end. The fear of failure also comes into play to create a fear of change. If we don’t know how something will turn out, we may rather not try because the outcome could be bad.

Trying something new becomes a risk.

Where Does Fear of Change Come From?

The fear of change can stem from childhood experiences, familial views, personal outlooks, current conditions, and even just the way people are programmed.

For example, if someone grows up in a household that takes a negative worldview and is filled with cynicism, this could breed fear and anxiety over trying something new. This is especially common if your parents have dealt with trauma, abuse or poverty. Their experiences may have created a worldview that promotes thinking that all paths are dangerous and filled with bad outcomes. In that way, you have become programmed to be jaded and cynical as well.

Instead, it becomes easier to stick with what is known.

Moreso, humans are conditioned and naturally programmed to like to be in control. It’s evolutionary. So, the fear of change is both an outcome of nature and nurture.

That being said, it can be managed and altered.

It takes work to realize that at some point in life, everything was once an unknown. It takes courage and action to move toward a path of positivity and beneficial outcomes. That’s why it’s so necessary to work towards a mindset that can welcome and embrace change.

Photo by  Hannah Olinger  on  Unsplash

Ways to overcome the fear of change.

Here are some tried and true ways to help you overcome the fear of change. Everyone needs their own practice to find the right solution, but these ideas are a good starting place to find what works for you:

1. Try hypnotherapy:

The fear of change is woven in one’s psyche. Hypnotherapy can help locate the place where it stems and override the feeling.

2. More therapies:

There are also different types of therapies that can help relieve the fear of change. Group therapy, talk therapy, neuro-linguistic therapy, behavior therapy, and writing your feelings down are all ways you can use therapy to aid in overcoming this phobia.

3. Embrace change and vulnerability:

Being vulnerable puts you in a place where you can face your fears. It’s accepting that you may not have control, but you can overcome and manage any circumstance or situation you face. When you are able to welcome change (with all its potential good and bad), you can regain a sense of power.

4. Break things up into smaller pieces:

You don’t have to work in extremes. For example, you may have many aspects of your life that will require change — from choosing your major , to finding the right job, to attending online or traditional college , picking a life partner, and more. Trying to face all these changes at once is undoubtedly overwhelming. Instead, break things down into smaller pieces. So, if you want to choose your college major, start by writing down what you like to do and what you’re interested in. Then, consider your future and what you may want as your profession. Next, you can approach this decision rationally and build up to making the choice.

5. Know your why:

By defining your purpose, you can diminish your fear of change. If you don’t know what you want, then any decision can be scary. But if you first understand your “why,” then when you have to make decisions or a change, you can ask yourself if it will align with your purpose. This can help to eliminate options that don’t work towards achieving goals.

6. Have hopes for the best and plans for the worst case:

While you can’t always control for outcomes, you can have plans. Know what you will do if something fails miserably so you can reduce the consequences as much as possible. And, to keep a positive outlook, hope for the best because your positive energy can help to create positive outcomes.

7. Surround yourself with supporters:

In life, you’ll always have both negative and positive people around you. Try to recognize critics and cynical people and quiet their impact on your mind. Instead, leverage the people in your life who offer support and help to guide you in the right direction.

8. Practice “What if” positively:

Often times, when we don’t know what will happen, we default to the worst-case scenarios. Instead, you can practice to ask yourself, “what if it works out?” to consider the potential good outcomes that can occur. In this way, you can help the fear of change fade away.

9. Practice repetition:

Like an athlete’s muscle memory, you can train your brain to follow a path of positive feedback rather than a negative feedback loop. You have to embrace change and remind yourself of all the times you made a change and it worked out for the better. That way, you can condition your brain to embrace change rather than fear it.

10. Reward yourself:

When you make a change, you have to find ways to reward yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything tangible. You can train your mind to believe you’re gaining a new positive reward, even if you are removing something from your life.

11. Ask the right questions:

Ask yourself what you are so afraid of before embarking on any change. You can then write down the potential outcomes and aspects you fear most. From this list, you can do some research to mitigate these results. Knowing what you fear will allow you to overcome the fear and approach change rationally.

12. Be present:

While the past can be a teacher, you need to focus on where you are now to move forward. Use the information you have in the here and now to make decisions based on your current situation. Living in the future is unknown and adds to anxiety. Being in the now opens the door to opportunity.

The Stages of Change and How to Process Them

All change works goes through four steps.

1. Anticipation:

This is where we anticipate what can happen from change. It feels exciting.

• Embrace these feelings for as long as they last and try to remind yourself of them during the next step. Write down your purpose and how this change can help you achieve goals. That way, you can refer back to this when you go through any anxious phases that follow.

2. Regression:

The moment things turn worse before they get better. This is where anxiety and the fear of change rear their heads.

• This is the step at which you should practice the above to overcome. You can write down what potential outcomes are, rely on support systems, and train your brain to embrace change by allowing yourself to feel vulnerable.

3. Breakthrough:

The benefits and positive outcomes start to show.

• Reward yourself for making the change and see how much good has come from it all!

4. Consolidation:

The new change becomes your norm.

• Back to business as usual. Remember, you will have to face change again and this change will soon become your new normal, too.

Bringing It All Together

It’s human nature to fear change. Our brains are wired to like to be in control and know what is happening and when it is happening. This is for survival and protection.

However, life is unpredictable. As such, it’s important to learn to accept the unknown and practice a positive mindset when approaching change.

At some point or another, everyone will experience the fear of change, so hopefully some of the above tips and tricks can help overcome such fear and lead you to take action!

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The official magazine for TIPsters in 4th–6th grade

Turning Fear into Confidence—A Personal Essay

October 14, 2020

Facing obstacles throughout your life is inevitable, and the obstacles you overcome can define who you are as a person. Not only will this build character and self-confidence, it will show others how strong you remained and inspire them to overcome their own challenges.

But overcoming obstacles is no simple task. Most obstacles are incredibly hard and testing. Yet, by overcoming them, you will come to understand why they are important. The significance of overcoming obstacles in life is to make you more grounded, courageous, and wise. For me, one of these life-altering obstacles emerged during my undergraduate years.

I had a serious fear of public speaking. There were times where I would struggle with presentations and in-class discussions. When these sessions would take place, my fear built up in a pressure cooker of discouragement and convulsive anguish. I felt humiliated before my teachers, partners, and most of all, my close friends. I soon realized, however, that the same people who seemed to be the source of my fear became my lifeline, their inspirational words filling my mind and heart with positive thoughts.

Seeing my struggles, my peers tried to build me up, to increase my confidence in myself and convince me that anything, including overcoming my fear of public speaking, could be accomplished with enough enthusiasm and belief in oneself.

The obstacles we face in life can distort how we see ourselves and cripple our ability to face our fears. By facing these conflicts head on, though, we can completely flip their effect on us, transforming them into experiences that strengthen our resilience and push the boundaries of what we think is possible to achieve.

Taking everything into account everything I’ve learned from this experience and many others like it that I’ve encountered in my life, it’s clear that obstacles are impossible to avoid, and when you do encounter them, you must view them as learning opportunities. You might just surprise yourself at how easily you overcome them.

This post was written by Duke TIP’s outgoing Marketing & Communications intern, Christina Gordon. Christina graduated from North Carolina Central University in the spring of 2020.

About Duke TIP

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that has served over three million academically talented students in grades 4–12 since it was founded in 1980. Collaborating with educators and parents, TIP helps gifted students assess the extent of their academic abilities with above-grade-level testing, recognizes them for their achievements, and provides them with a variety of enrichment benefits as well as accelerated face-to-face and online educational programs.

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How to Become More Comfortable with Change

• Kathryn Clubb

Overcome these three (very common) change-averse mindsets.

One of the most common unconscious mindsets is that “change is temporary,” but when you see something as temporary, you tend to cope with it instead of accepting and embracing it. The reality is that change is a constant, and you’ll need to navigate it often in your career.

• The authors identify three common change-averse mindsets: receivers, resistors, and controllers. Receivers see change as something that happens  to  them that shakes up their sense of control.
• Resistors push back against change, falsely hoping it might go away. And controllers find change overwhelming and isolating.
• By consciously examining how you approach change, you can adopt these strategies to move toward a more change-ready mindset, and welcome change as an opportunity.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

The pace of change has increased massively in light of the pandemic. Managing it now requires a strategy akin to whitewater rafting. New and unpredictable obstacles will continue to present themselves every day — and not just for companies, but for workers themselves.

• Kathryn Clubb  is head of  change and transformation  at  BTS , an organization that works with leaders at all levels to help them make better decisions, convert those decisions to actions, and deliver results. After being a partner in Accenture’s Strategy Practice, Kathryn was the Chief Innovator at WHWest, Inc. With decades of experience helping companies transform and execute strategy, Kathryn has extensive experience working with a variety of top global organizations.
• Jeni Fan  is a senior director at  BTS  and leads  change and transformation  for the East Coast of the United States. She serves as a strategist advisor and thought partner to clients undergoing large-scale change: from culture to strategy, to pre- and post-M&A. Taking a human-centered, evidence-based approach, her work focuses on alignment and building sustained systemwide change at all levels of an organization. Her work spans multiple industries and sectors.

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• Fear of Change

Exposing Fear Of Change

Fear of change is subtle. It operates under the radar convincing you that it's there to protect you. To keep you safe.

In reality, fear is one of the most common reasons for resistance to change because it stops you taking any action at all.

Earlier this year I met with a client who was losing her job after working in the same business (a bank) for 30 years. She was terrified by the prospect of being forced to think beyond what she had known for 30 years. It made it hard for her to think clearly.

Another client of mine has many brilliant ideas for his future but is frustrated because he can't get started with any of his plans. In both of these cases fear of change holds them back. Fear cannot be seen and it convinces people to strongly deny that it's there at all.

Fear of change works hard to convince you that change is bad for you. I often hear about its attempts to convince people that they cannot cope with change. This page exposes fear of change and gives you insight into how it works in your life, and in the lives of people at work.

Fear of change is likely to be the reason for any resistance to change you experience.

Effects of Fear of Change

In most cases fear of change stops us from taking action. It often works with anxiety, self-doubt and guilt to help it to do this. Anxiety : Some stress can be good because it gets us to do something. But there are times when feeling anxious about something new can really limit us. This often happens if we are not certain about the future. High levels of anxiety are often brought about by:

• rumors about change,
• self doubt,
• not knowing what to expect,
• not feeling our concerns are heard

     ...and this can be crippling.

When you notice and address these issues people feel less anxious. Often a good reality check can be very helpful too. Take time to find out if the rumors you've heard are true as this can make you feel less anxious as well.

Anxiety and Fear of Change work together

Feeling anxious can stop us trying something new and makes us resist change by stirring up fears of what is not known. In such cases we'll choose to stick with what we know rather than face an uncertain future.

Fear Can Be Mistaken For Resistance

There are a number of common fears that can be mistaken for resistance to change. Be aware of them and deal with the actual fear rather than calling all fears 'resistance'.

Here are some examples of fears that look like resistance:

Fear of the unknown

Not knowing what to expect occurs when we don't have enough information about the change and we're expected to take a 'leap of faith'. This can result in a lot of anxious feelings.

Fear of failure

This fear works closely with the need for perfection and makes us worry about not getting things right. It makes sense that the best way to avoid the pain of failing is not to do anything at all. Yet failure is the only way to succeed. Think of the number of failed light bulb's before Edison found the one that worked. Successful people often have a list of failed attempts behind them. It's the way we learn.

John Maxwell calls it ' Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success '. If you worry about failure this book might help you think differently about trying something new.

Fear of success

Marianne Williamson has written that "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?" It's as if we don't believe we deserve success. Concern about success can lead to feeling anxious. We have beliefs about what successful people are like and we fear that we might become like them if we are successful. We believe that we might lose friends or exploit others, for example. To reduce this fear of change we need to know our values and remain true to them.

Fear of loss

Loss is often a part of change. Change can mean that we lose friends, our salary, or even our parking space! Other losses are not as obvious such as the the loss of known routines or the things that define who we are (like a job title, or a position).

Fear of upsetting others

Life coaches are taught to explore the impact of change on other people close to their client. This is because change can have a ripple effect on others. Of course, the change can be positive. But the fear of upsetting others can really limit what we do. I've known clients who have refused promotions rather than deal with ill feelings from others.

Fear of leaving a comfort zone

Like it or not we are creatures of habit. We like our routines and don't like to be faced with the unknown.

Comfort zones may be safe but we can't grow or experience anything new, as one of the characters in ' Who Moved My Cheese ?' discovered (I love the lessons about change in this book and tell everyone about it).

Self-doubt expresses itself in phrases like "I'm...not good enough", "...not clever enough", "...not qualified enough", or "I'm stupid". Not only do we start believing this about ourselves but we fear that others might see this too. Resisting change helps us to avoid dealing with self doubt. Putting ourselves down in this way stems from a lack of confidence and a fear of change that stops us taking any action. It literally stops us getting ahead in life. Building self-esteem and self-confidence can counter the effects of anxiety and get rid of fear of change.

People that put others' needs ahead of their own are likely to feel guilt if they feel the change they need to make will affect others. You'll hear guilt in action in the words people use. They use the words "should", "must", and "have to" often. So they'll say, "I really should do xyz", or "I have to attend the meeting". Maybe you do this? There's a lovely story Stephen Covey tells in his 7 Habits CD set about a student excusing himself from a lecture. When Covey asked why he couldn't attend the lecture the student answered "it's because I have to attend tennis practice" (or some similar reason). Stephen Covey asked him what would happen if he didn't go to tennis practice and the student said he'd be dropped from the team. "So you choose to go to tennis training rather than attend my lecture", observed Covey. Stephen Covey makes the point that we need to be aware of our language, and change our "I have to's" into "I choose to", or our "I should's" into "I want to" or "I would like to...".

Focus on the individual

The fear of change can be one of the biggest barriers to change at work or in your personal life.

While a force field analysis can assess the broader situation the time spent really understanding people's reactions allows you to intervene where they are at.

Encouraging the involvement of employees early in the change process and allowing them to be part of the process also leads to lower levels of resistance to change and higher acceptance and engagement in the change.

As successful change management is defined by the ability of people to move towards, and accept, the vision for change it is essential to support the process by focusing on the individual.

Resistance to change is normal. When you are aware that someone has fear of change you can support them with effective change management planning.

Leave your thoughts below and keep in touch by visiting our  Facebook Page  and clicking 'Like' to join the community.

Find a definition of change management here.

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8 Bold Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Writing

by Sarah Gribble | 0 comments

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Today I want to talk about fear. Fear of writing, fear of sharing your work, fear of publishing—and how you can overcome it.

Writers face fear on a day-to-day basis.

The self-doubt . The fear of failure. And, oh, the vulnerability.

Writing is hard enough with all the self-evaluation and doubt about your abilities. But then sharing your work with other people so they can critique or review it? CRINGE.

When you sink into that fear it debilitates you. If you let fear hold you back, you’re ensuring you never achieve your goals. You’ll never write that book and you’ll never get published. All because you were too scared.

8 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Writing

It’s time to stop letting fear control you and get writing. Here’s how:

1. Do what scares you.

When you’re up against something that makes you cringe, ask yourself what the worst-case scenario is. Is it actually  harmful? Unless it’s something like jumping from a bridge into a rocky river or stepping in front of a speeding vehicle, it’s probably not.

Fear is trying to keep you safe. It needs to learn that just because something is scary doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s detrimental to your health. Do what scares you, and keep doing it, and the fear will subside.

This includes fear of our own writing. I'm not saying you have to go write a 90,000 word novel. Start with a short story, or try out some writing prompts.

Aspiring writers might feel intiimdated because they don't think that they are a great writer. The reality is, you can never become a great writer unless you practice—and to practice, you have to write.

Embrace and overcome your fear by putting words down. Start writing, have patience with yourself, and worry about the rest later.

The blank page becomes way less scary as soon as you put words on it.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Your house is already clean enough. That TV show can wait. No, you don’t need to run to the store to pick up a bag of chips.

Figure out when the best time for you to write is and then write.

If you really, truly need a break to clear your mind, set a time limit. Ten minutes of scrubbing the grout with a toothbrush and then get back to your writing.

Ultimately, those who procrastinate will be more prone to writing off procrastination as writer's block—and the more time you spend away from writing, the scary it will become.

3. Learn from criticism.

Criticism is what everyone fears. Not just in writing, but in life. We all want to be liked, to be perfect, to be praised.

Your writing will not please everyone and that’s something you should realize and accept now. Criticism is much easier to take when you go into it knowing that fact.

Don’t just ignore criticism, though. Writing is like everything else in that it requires practice. You don't have to rank #1 on Amazon or make a bestseller list your first go (even though I won't argue that would be fantastic).

The first meal you cooked wasn’t a gourmet meal. The first time you dribbled a basketball wasn’t Lebron-level. Someone was there to point out what you were doing wrong and set you on the right path. They taught you how to get better.

That’s what criticism is: teaching.

It's not  rejecting your work, which might be why some writers fail to share their work: because their fear of rejection is mistakenly associated with getting critiques.

Yes, sometimes it’s mean-spirited, especially in this age of internet trolls. But even in those nasty reviews, there’s normally something to learn from.

Find it. Use it. And do better next time.

4. Stop revising.

You want every sentence in your work to be perfect . I have a secret for you: you’ll never get there.

Your writing will never be perfect. 

Not to you, not to your editors, and not to your readers. It’s impossible, so stop revising ad nauseam. At some point, you have to let it go and put the work out there.

Perfectionism can stunt your creative writing instead of empower it.

To avoid this, set a limit. I prefer three drafts. That’s it. Three and then I let it fly on its own.

What are you writing for? We'll never know unless you decide to share your work.

5. Set goals and move toward them.

Focus on milestones like daily word counts and deadlines (self-imposed or otherwise).

Writing a book is like summiting a mountain: you do it  one step at a time . When you reach the top you might be a little exhausted and out of breath, but you’ll look back at all you’ve accomplished and feel proud.

Without these smaller milestones, it might be hard to finish your piece of writing, or even find the motivation to keep writing each day.

Stories are finished one day at a time, with hard work and a desire to grow your writing process.

Don't sweat the small stuff in your first drafts, like word choice. Instead, set a long term goal of continually learning how to write better and smaller milestones that will help you finish stories you start.

All of this is accomplished word by word, and by turning real and irrational fears into manageable tasks.

6. Embrace the fear of writing.

You’re going to be scared frequently in this business. My stomach still flips every time I submit a short story , even though I’ve submitted hundreds of times. It’s going to happen.

The trick is to acknowledge it and move forward. It didn’t kill you.

In fact, that little tingle of fear should be your signal to celebrate. You did what scared you and that’s amazing.

One book that a lot of writers really love on this subject is The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield. If you're feeling discouraged or swallowed by your fear, check out this book for some motivation.

Even better, find and join a writing group like we have here at The Write Practice. Nothing helps you overcome your fears like a supportive community with a kindred creative spirit.

7. If your character can do it, so can you.

You don’t let your characters sit back on their heels because they’re scared, do you? I hope not, because if you do, you don’t have a story .

Your characters don’t have the luxury of sitting on the bench. They must make decisions and do something about the problem. And so should you.

Don’t let fear of writing take over your writing life. Decide to move forward, to write that book, to send out that manuscript. Decide and then do it.

8. Ask for help if you need it.

Don’t be afraid to ask for time to yourself so that you can write. Your family and friends will understand you need that time because writing is important to you.

Find a group of writers and readers that can go through your story and give constructive feedback. You can't improve in a vacuum.

Need to know what a day in the life of a flight attendant looks like, or the lingo of a truck driver? Ask them. Trust me, you’re not bothering them. People love talking about themselves.

In the same vein, if you need help with research, that’s literally what librarians are for. They’ll be glad to help.

Don’t let fear of asking for help stagnate your writing.

Embrace the Fear

I want to leave you with these words from Carrie Fisher:

Your fears are natural and normal. They're also not the end of the story.

Your task, the challenge for every writer, is to face that fear of writing, acknowledge it, and write, share, publish anyway .

Need extra motivation? Have you checked out The Write Practice’s 100 Day Book program ? It’s the best way to stop letting fear of writing control you and get that book done. Click here to find more information on the course.

What scares you most about writing and/or the business side of writing? What are some steps you can take to overcome that fear?  Let me know in the comments !

Today I want you to spend fifteen minutes writing about a time you were scared to do something but did it anyway. Describe the exact feelings of fear you had. How did you feel after you'd done what scared you?

When you’re finished, share your work in the Pro Practice Workshop here (and if you’re not a member yet, you can join here ).

Sarah Gribble

Sarah Gribble is the author of dozens of short stories that explore uncomfortable situations, basic fears, and the general awe and fascination of the unknown. She just released Surviving Death , her first novel, and is currently working on her next book.

Follow her on Instagram or join her email list for free scares.

Work with Sarah Gribble?

Bestselling author with over five years of coaching experience. Sarah Gribble specializes in working with Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror, Speculative Fiction, and Thriller books. Sound like a good fit for you?

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Fear — The Causes And Effects Of Fear

The Causes and Effects of Fear

• Categories: Fear Feeling

About this sample

Words: 569 |

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 569 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited:

• Chen, K. (2004). Chinese silk: A cultural history. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
• Chinese Silk Association. (2020). Chinese Silk Association. Retrieved from https://www.silk.org.cn/index.html
• Kuhn, D. (2009). The age of Confucian rule: The Song transformation of China. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Liu, X. (2012). The silk road in world history. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Mazumdar, S. (2015). Silk textiles of India. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
• Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. (2020). Silk Road. Retrieved from http://en.silkroad.org.cn/
• Park, J., & Han, D. (2019). Historical review on the characteristics and manufacturing process of silk. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 11(3), 1-22.
• Tong, X. (2016). A history of silk: The history of China's legendary silk cloth, from its creation to the 21st century. London: Academic Press.
• Wei, L., & Lai, W. (2013). Analysis of the production and export of silk in ancient China. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 22(4), 488-503.
• Yang, Y. (2014). Exploring the silk road. New York: China Institute Gallery.

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Essay on Fear

Students are often asked to write an essay on Fear in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Fear

Understanding fear.

Fear is a basic human emotion that alerts us to the presence of danger. It is fundamental to our survival, making us respond quickly when we sense a threat.

Fear’s Role

Fear helps us make decisions that protect us from harm. It triggers our ‘fight or flight’ response, preparing our bodies to either confront or escape danger.

Overcoming Fear

Fear can be overcome by understanding and facing it. When we challenge our fears, we learn to control them, reducing their impact on our lives.

The Positive Side of Fear

Fear can also be positive, motivating us to push beyond our comfort zones, leading to personal growth and achievement.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Fear
• Speech on Fear

250 Words Essay on Fear

Fear is an innate emotional response to perceived threats. It is evolutionarily wired into our brains, acting as a survival mechanism that alerts us to danger and prepares our bodies to react. While fear can be a beneficial response, it can also be debilitating when it becomes chronic or irrational.

The Physiology of Fear

Fear triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including the release of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body for the ‘fight or flight’ response by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. This process, while crucial for survival in threatening situations, can lead to health problems if sustained over a long period.

Fear and the Mind

Psychologically, fear can be both a conscious and subconscious experience. It can be based on real threats or imagined ones, leading to anxiety disorders and phobias. Fear can also influence decision-making, often leading to risk-averse behavior. Understanding the psychological aspects of fear is essential for effective mental health treatment.

Overcoming fear involves recognizing and confronting it. Techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction can be effective. These strategies aim to change the thought patterns that lead to fear and teach coping mechanisms to manage fear responses.

Fear in Society

Fear also plays a significant role in society, influencing politics, economics, and social interactions. It can be used as a tool of manipulation, or it can drive societal change. Recognizing the societal implications of fear is crucial for fostering a more understanding and empathetic society.

In conclusion, fear is a complex emotion with profound impacts on individuals and society. Understanding its mechanisms and implications can help us navigate our fears and use them as catalysts for growth.

500 Words Essay on Fear

Introduction.

Fear is a universal human experience, an essential part of our biological makeup that has evolved over millions of years. It is a complex emotion that can be both protective and paralyzing, serving as a warning signal for danger while also potentially hindering personal growth and exploration. This essay explores the multifaceted nature of fear, its psychological implications, and its role in shaping human behavior and society.

The Biological Basis of Fear

Fear is fundamentally rooted in our biology. It is a response triggered by the amygdala, a small, almond-shaped structure in the brain that processes emotional stimuli. When we perceive a threat, the amygdala activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, leading to physiological changes such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness. This response is adaptive and has been crucial for human survival, allowing us to react quickly to potential threats.

The Psychological Aspect of Fear

Psychologically, fear is a multifaceted emotion with wide-ranging implications. It can be both acute, as in the immediate response to a threat, and chronic, as in the long-term fear associated with anxiety disorders. Fear can also be learned through conditioning or observation, which explains why different individuals may have different fear responses to the same stimulus.

Fear can lead to avoidance behavior, where individuals steer clear of situations that they perceive as threatening. While this can be protective, it can also be limiting, preventing individuals from pursuing opportunities and experiences that could lead to personal growth.

Fear and Society

On a societal level, fear can be both a unifying and a divisive force. It can bring people together in the face of a common threat, but it can also be exploited to manipulate public opinion and justify oppressive policies. Fear can lead to stereotyping and discrimination, as individuals or groups are scapegoated as threats to societal safety and order.

Overcoming fear involves recognizing and understanding it. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one effective method, as it helps individuals reframe their fearful thoughts and gradually expose themselves to feared situations. Mindfulness and meditation can also be beneficial, allowing individuals to stay present and focused rather than getting caught up in fearful thoughts.

In conclusion, fear is an integral part of the human experience, with deep biological roots and far-reaching psychological and societal implications. While it can be protective, it can also be limiting and divisive. Understanding and managing fear is therefore crucial, not just for individual well-being, but also for societal harmony and progress. As we navigate through an increasingly complex and uncertain world, the ability to confront and overcome our fears will be more important than ever.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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• Essay on Family
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Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019 --> Last Updated : 2024-04-20 16:40:00

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Sat, 20 Apr 2024 Today's Paper

Bondholders fear regime change impact

20 April 2024 08:36 am - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The bondholders held talks with various political leaders including from the opposition parties such as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the National People’s Power (NPP) and the United Republican Front (URF) led by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka during the New Year holiday period.

During talks with the NPP, the party has assured that the programme with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) will not be derailed.  Currently, the Sri Lankan government has concluded the initial restricted discussions with nine members of the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders over a span of three weeks. Sri Lanka was joined by its legal and financial advisors Clif­ford Chance and Lazard, respectively, while the restricted members of the Steering Committee were joined by the

Group’s legal and financial advisors, White & Case and Rothschild & Co., respectively.

The Steering Committee as a whole comprises ten of the largest members of the Group, with the Group controlling approximately 50% of the aggregate outstanding amount of ISBS.

Earlier, the Finance Ministry said in a statement that the parties failed to come to an agreement on restructuring terms, despite the constructive discussions.

During this period, Sri Lanka, the Steering Committee and its advisors met during a two-day working session in London on 27 and 28 March to discuss the Group’s latest debt treatment proposal. Prior to the meetings, March 15 Sri Lanka had also sent its own debt treatment proposal to the Group’s advisors which was rejected by the Steering Committee.

Also, Sri Lanka rejected last week international bondholders’ proposal to restructure more than $12 billion in debt, putting at risk critical International Monetary Fund support and delaying its efforts to resolve a two-year-long debt crisis.

  Comments - 15

Amila Perera Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:45 AM

Bon holders must know that these regimes are the responsible regimes for bankruptcy of the country and ultimately loss of their money.

Reply 0       0 0       0 -->

Start Paying These Bond Investors and See How Bad The Situation Is. Saturday, 20 April 2024 01:49 PM

Exactly. No comments from the government politicians now who were recently bragging the accumulation of over USD$ 5 billion in the reserves. Start paying this bunch of bond investors now and see how the citizens will chase all of your miserable morons into the sea. The country IS BANKRUPT AND WILL BE BANKRUPT FOR AT LEAST 10 more years. At the rate Ranil and his morons are spending on a monthly basis to maintain a high profile life and a huge Tri- Forces, this debt crisis may even never End.

Reply : 0       0 -->

SLC Peiris Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:47 AM

KB has become the leader in the purvey of misinformation.

Don Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:52 AM

Easy..Present the agreement to party leaders and get their consent to proceed as this is a national level agreement.

Mohandev Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:52 AM

At least traitors

Stupid Investors Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:20 AM

Teach these investors not to invest in a bankrupt country. Should have done their homework on the amount of loans from IMF, ADB, China, Japan, Eurozone etc SL has taken over the years and always not being able to pay them in full. These investors encouraged SL politicians over the years to keep on taking loans and now crying wolf! Just suck it up and prepare for it to be written off.

Time to strong up Bond holders to accept major losses Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:26 AM

The Bond holders can accept 5% of original investments. They are rich, like Rajapaks family. Losing 95% of their government bond is better than not even getting 5% of the last value. Central Bank crooked governor can say, NPP government will get rid of him too, so bond holder should accept 2% or potentially get nothing after election.

Voter Saturday, 20 April 2024 10:12 AM

Regime change is inevitable, whether para suddas like it or not….

Ranjith Saturday, 20 April 2024 10:37 AM

KB don't worry too much are you living in srilanka Ranil is protecting Rajapakses, definitely Rajapakses will settled all these loans. I am sure SJB will honour the agreement with IMF KB please don't worry.

Waco Saturday, 20 April 2024 10:45 AM

Another Drama plan by Ranil before the elections, which is round the corner.

Waco Saturday, 20 April 2024 10:47 AM

This is a another Drama , planned by Ranil before the elections, which is round the corner.

joshua Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:33 AM

A regime change is a must whether the so called bond holders like it or not. We need to chase out the rogues and all rogues who robbed the country in the braod daylight and bankrupted country (including their stooges) have to be arrested. Even the Courts have identified who bankrupted the country but this RW won't do anything as he is only greedy for power. So Bondholders even if you do not like it, there is no use crying over it. The regime change is coming and no stopping in that. Mr 10% can go back to his petrol pump in USA.

FredSnR Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:38 AM

When we borrow we lose more than the interest to pay on the loan.We also lose our sovereignty to think and act as a nation. That's because of conditions which lenders impose which in the long run favour the lender not the borrower .So rather than worrying about regime change it is better if we concentrate on how we can pay back our debts which is by working hard, spending less than we earn and getting our priorities right.That means getting rid of all discretionary expenditure till times improve It also means a fairer distribution of wealth, to prevent social unrest, it will improve productivity in the long run and so on. Otherwise we will end up having to sell the family silver(our assets) at fire sale prices, to pay back our loans, the easy way out, often what lenders prefer

Sarvagamika Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:44 AM

Any change or not only good peoples fear.

Adwani Saturday, 20 April 2024 12:04 PM

Bond holders will be able to sue Central Bank of SL. While engaging in campaign to make aware to potential investors to stayaway from SL.

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