Member-only story
Stuck in a Rut After 50? Why Fear of Change Keeps You Unhappy
“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change” Jim Rohn
Have you ever met someone who constantly complains about their situation but never takes action to change it? Maybe they dislike their job, feel unfulfilled in their relationships, or dream of a different life but insist, “It’s too late for me now.”
This paradox — choosing unhappiness over uncertainty — traps many people, especially those over 50, in a cycle of dissatisfaction.
Why? Because the unknown feels riskier than a familiar struggle. Phrases like “I’m set in my ways” or “I’m too old to change” become limiting beliefs.
But what if these thoughts aren’t true? What if uncertainty isn’t a threat but an opportunity?
The Brain Prefers Certainty Over Happiness
Your brain isn’t wired for happiness — it’s wired for survival. And survival means avoiding risk.
Uncertainty triggers fear because, for early humans, the unknown could mean danger. While we no longer face life-or-death situations daily, our brains still react like we do.
This is why we stay in jobs, relationships, or routines that make us unhappy — because at least they are predictable.
