Hey Reader,

A few years ago, I bought a sporty little European race car. This particular model is actually used as a rally car internationally. It's a hot hatch! (A term also used internationally.)

Turbo engine. Six-speed manual. Low-slung leather interior. Red dash lights. Sporty wheels. The kind of car that makes you feel just a little bit cooler than you probably are!

When hubby and I took it for a test drive, he jumped in the driver’s seat first and took it up the highway. He opened it up (not speeding, of course... just flirting with the gears 😉), and the power was so fierce I nearly threw up. Srsly. My centre of gravity was tossed around like a rag doll in a wind tunnel.

Then it was my turn.

After years of driving an automatic, I was clunky, jerky, and borderline embarrassing behind the wheel. That short clutch and fast gear shift? Not forgiving. I had a few hairy moments as I tested the pedal to the metal theory. Woah, this thing was fast. It was like trying to calm one of those raging bulls on a wild run through the streets of Spain.

We bought the car. I squealed with excitement at the thrill of the chase with this little beauty.

And then it started. All the stories of doubt..

• How annoying will this be to change gears in heavy traffic?
• What if my dodgy knee gets worse with the repetition of the clutch?
• It might just be too small.

My brain was hating the change.

That resistance? Totally normal.

Our brains are wired to keep us “safe,” which often just means keeping things the same. Change is perceived as a threat to the grey matter.

But once the decision was made, my brain had no choice. It had to adapt. Learn. Coordinate. Rewire.

Fast forward to now, I shift gears like a pro. My adult boys envy me😆 No drama, no knee pain, just pure joy every time I drive that zippy little beast.

And this is exactly what happens when you start healing, changing old patterns, and doing something new in your life.

At first, change feels clunky. Unfamiliar. Uncomfortable. Maybe even like you're doing it all wrong.

But once you’ve committed, your beautiful, clever brain gets on board.

Let this be your reminder that resistance isn’t always a red flag; it’s just your brain functioning as it should. You need to teach the old dog new tricks (as I explained to a client on the weekend).

What we know about the brain is that it is so powerful, it can create change. But, it needs your support to help it feel safe to be a better, stronger, more successful version of you.

Have compassion for yourself when you are flirting with new choices, behaviours, and routines.

If you're ready to shift gears in your own life, I’ve got a few tools that make the transition smoother (no clutch control required😉).

👉 I have lots of free resources to help support you as you go.

Vroom, vroom, Reader!

Love,
Ali x

PS: Know a friend who's clunking through life changes like a learner driver in a turbo? Hit forward and share this with her—she'll thank you once she finds her groove. She can join the brain-changing email list here.