The Mirror Within: A Journey Through Behaviour Change

Today, someone close to me said, “You’ve changed.” At first, I resisted. I denied it—not because I was unaware, but because I wasn’t ready to face it. That simple statement echoed in my mind like a persistent knock on a closed door. And behind that door, something was waiting to be acknowledged.

Later, while working out, the thought returned—not as a whisper, but as a storm. It was then that I stopped running from it. I stood still, mentally, and let it in. That moment marked the beginning of a quiet revelation: I had changed. And more importantly, I had learned something profound about behaviour change.

This experience unfolded in three distinct phases, each revealing a layer of truth:

Q1: Why Did I Deny the Change?

Denial is often our first line of defense when confronted with uncomfortable truths. I usually accept feedback with grace, but this time was different. The feedback came from someone close, and it felt personal—almost like a judgment.

I found myself asking:

– How could I have changed?

– How could I be wrong?

My ego stepped in, shielding me from introspection. I wasn’t defending my behaviour—I was defending my self-image. And in doing so, I ignored the possibility that the change might be real.

Lesson: We often become so attached to our idea of self that we resist any suggestion that challenges it. Especially when the change is negative, our instinct is to protect, not to reflect.

Q2: How and When Did I Acknowledge the Change?

Behaviour doesn’t shift overnight. It evolves—through choices, experiences, and silent moments of reflection. Deep down, I knew something was different. But I kept brushing it aside.

Then, during a workout, I asked myself:

– Why am I in denial?

– What am I afraid of?

– What’s the worst that could happen if I accept this change?

That was the turning point. I acknowledged the change—not as a flaw, but as a fact. I examined it. Was it helping me grow, or pulling me down? I realised that by letting go of ego, I can see beyond my mistakes and make better decisions, which will aid my mental growth.

Lesson: Acknowledgement is not weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s the first step toward understanding and transformation.

Q3: What Did I Learn From This Process?

Just as “change is inevitable,” behaviour change is also a constant companion in our journey through life. The key is not to resist it, but to understand it.

Here’s what I learned:

– If the change is positive, embrace it with responsibility.

– If the change is negative, don’t defend it—understand it, and correct it.

This experience taught me that self-awareness is a powerful tool. It allows us to evolve consciously, rather than reactively.

A Closing Thought

We all go through phases of change. Some we notice, some we deny, and some we accept only when they shake us awake. If you’ve felt something similar, I invite you to reflect and share. Because the more we talk about behaviour change, the more we normalize growth.

Now, the choice is yours:

Will you acknowledge your behaviour changes and grow?

Or

Will you defend and remain in denial?

Choose wisely.

Thank you.