---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That 'change makes us uncomfortable' is…"
description: "\"That 'change makes us uncomfortable' is now one of the most widely promoted, widely accepted, and under-considered half-truths around. [I]t is not chan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aed/robert-kegan-23287_accepted_that-change-makes-us-uncomfortable-is-no_2750455.jpg"
---

#  That 'change makes us uncomfortable' is now one of the…

![“That 'change makes us uncomfortable' is now one of the most widely promoted, widely accepted, and under-considered half-truths around. &#91;I&#93;t is not change by itself that makes us uncomfortable; it is not even change that involves taking on something very difficult. Rather, it is change that leaves…” quote by Robert Kegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aed/robert-kegan-23287_accepted_that-change-makes-us-uncomfortable-is-no_2750455.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aed/robert-kegan-23287_accepted_that-change-makes-us-uncomfortable-is-no_2750455.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aed/robert-kegan-23287_accepted_that-change-makes-us-uncomfortable-is-no_2750455.jpg)

> “That 'change makes us uncomfortable' is now one of the most widely promoted, widely accepted, and under-considered half-truths around. \[I\]t is not change by itself that makes us uncomfortable; it is not even change that involves taking on something very difficult. Rather, it is change that leaves us feeling defenseless before the dangers we 'know' to be present that causes us anxiety.”

[Robert Kegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kegan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Discomfort comes not from change itself but from feeling vulnerable to known threats when change exposes them.

**In simple terms:** Change feels scary when it reveals hidden dangers.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address underlying fears during change.

Themes

psychology growth anxiety vulnerability

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

insightful motivational

When to use this quote

- career transitions
- personal relationships
- learning new skills
- health challenges

Key Concepts

developmental theory emotional safety

Questions to Reflect On

- What hidden dangers does this change reveal?
- How can you build safety while adapting?

A Different Perspective

If the threats are unknown, the anxiety may be harder to pinpoint.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepted/) [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Causes Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes-anxiety-1306985/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Defenseless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defenseless/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-change/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Half truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-truth/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable/) [Uncomfortable Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable-change-3095773/)

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