Blog #18 -When Change Feels Both Exciting and Terrifying

When we make a big change, there’s often a surge of excitement. A new beginning, a fresh chapter, the promise of possibilities. That’s how I felt when I decided to move to Portishead. I imagined myself walking by the sea, creating new connections, and starting my next phase of life and work.

And in those moments of anticipation, it felt good. I could see the vision clearly, and it felt like exactly the right step.

But then comes the reality.

Boxes unpacked, new walls around me, and suddenly the excitement makes space for something else — fear, sadness, and disorientation. My new flat, though full of potential, carried with it the energy of neglect from the previous owner. Instead of a sanctuary, at first it felt heavy, almost burdened. And in that heaviness, old feelings began to stir.

This is something we don’t talk about enough: change awakens our childhood patterns and traumas.

When we move, start a new job, or enter a new relationship, the unfamiliar can trigger the deepest parts of us — the parts that once learned survival, attachment, or even abandonment. For me, the move brought up an unexpected wave of depression. Not because I made the wrong choice, but because my nervous system was adjusting, and in that adjustment, the old wounds had space to surface.

That’s the paradox of change. On the surface, it’s exciting. But underneath, our body and mind may resist. We long for the familiar, even if the familiar was limiting. Change asks us to step into the unknown, and the unknown can feel like danger to the parts of us shaped in childhood.

But here’s the other truth: this is also where healing begins.

Change is not just about moving into a new home or starting a new path. It’s an invitation to meet ourselves again — the child within us who still feels scared, the part of us that fears lack or abandonment, the voice that says “what if I can’t cope?” When these patterns rise, it’s not a sign that we’re failing. It’s a sign that deeper healing is ready to take place.

What has helped me is allowing myself to feel both truths at once:🌿 The move is exciting.🌿 The move is scary.Both are real. Both can coexist.

And in giving myself permission to hold both, I also give myself the chance to grow.

So if you’re going through change and finding yourself overwhelmed, please know you’re not alone. Change doesn’t always feel good — sometimes it shakes us to the core. But in that shaking, we’re being given the opportunity to release old attachments and step into a new level of freedom.

I remind myself daily: this transition is not just about a new place. It’s about becoming a new version of me. And that, despite the fear, is something worth leaning into.

🌸 If you’re navigating change and would like guidance, insight, or simply a compassionate space to explore what’s stirring for you, I’d love to offer you a personal tarot reading. Together we can uncover what’s holding you back, and illuminate the path forward with clarity and confidence.

🍁 Autumn Special (Limited Time)

To support you through this season of change, I’m offering a 1-hour intuitive reading for just £45. Perfect for clarity, next steps, and soul-aligned direction.

  👉 Book your Autumn Reading:

Book your reading here

I’d love to hear from you: What change is whispering to you right now? Simply hit reply and share if you feel called.

With love and gratitude

Denise xx 

www.readingswithdenise

30.09.25