Why Change Feels Hard — And Why It Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken

Have you ever promised yourself “This time I’ll change”… only to find yourself repeating the same pattern days later?

You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You’re just human — and most of your mind is working behind the scenes.

Your Subconscious Isn’t the Enemy — It’s a Survival Expert

Science suggests that up to 95% of your thoughts and behaviours come from your subconscious mind. It’s the part of you that’s automatic — learned responses, beliefs, habits, fears, protections.

The subconscious is fast, efficient, and mostly quiet. It’s designed to keep you safe, not necessarily happy.

So when you try to make a change — whether that’s setting boundaries, stopping overthinking, or showing up with more confidence — and find yourself resisting or sabotaging that change?

That’s your subconscious saying

“But this is what we’ve always done. This is what’s familiar. This is safe.”

Why Logic Isn’t Always Enough

You might know what you want to change.

You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, talked it through with friends.

But lasting transformation doesn’t always come from thinking harder.

It often comes from feeling safer to shift. From working with, not against, your inner world.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help

Hypnotherapy is a gentle, evidence-based way of accessing the subconscious mind. It’s not about losing control — it’s about gaining access.

In sessions, you're fully aware — just deeply relaxed and focused. We work together to explore the beliefs or emotional patterns sitting underneath your stuck points.

What many of my clients say afterwards is

“I didn’t realise how much I was holding until I finally felt safe to let it go.”

🌿 A Real-Life Example (Shared With Permission)

Let me introduce “Anna” (name and details changed for privacy). She came to me after months of

struggling with a constant inner critic. Every time she tried to speak up at work or take time for herself, she’d hear that voice:

“You’re not doing enough. You should be better by now.”

She’d tried affirmations and journaling — but something kept pulling her back.

In just a few hypnotherapy sessions, Anna connected with a memory of being young and feeling responsible for everyone’s emotions at home. She realised her “inner critic” had originally formed as a protector — trying to help her avoid criticism and keep others happy.

Once she could see that, something softened. We worked to bring understanding and calm to that part of her mind. She didn’t need to fight it anymore — she could work with it.

In the following weeks, she shared that she started setting boundaries more easily — not because she forced herself, but because it now felt natural.

Of course, every person is different. Not every session brings a lightbulb moment. But often, there’s a gentle shift — a deep breath, a moment of clarity, a lifting of pressure.

What the Research Shows

Research from institutions like Stanford and Harvard has shown that hypnosis can measurably shift brain activity. Functional MRI scans show altered patterns of perception and emotion when someone is in a hypnotic state — often creating space for new perspectives, calmer nervous responses, and improved emotional regulation.¹

But more importantly? People feel better. They feel clearer. They start to respond differently — not just react.

You’re Not Too Late — You’re Just at the Start

Whether you’ve been struggling with stress, anxiety, feeling stuck, low self-worth, or overwhelm…It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means your mind has been doing its best with the tools it’s had.

When we bring awareness, compassion, and skill to the deeper mind, change becomes not only possible — but natural.

You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You just need the right space and support to reconnect with your inner resources.

Want to Explore What That Could Look Like?

If you’ve been feeling like now’s the time to finally shift what’s been holding you back — gently, safely, and in a way that makes sense for you — let’s have a chat.

I offer personalised hypnotherapy, holistic health support, and reality coaching from my practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand (or online, if you prefer).

There’s no pressure, no awkwardness — just a grounded, compassionate conversation to explore what might be possible.

📩 You can book a free clarity call at www.teresasaunders.com

You are not broken.You are just ready for change — and that’s a beautiful place to begin.