Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Sarah, a Registered Psychotherapist offering somatic and talk therapy at my Roncesvalles and Junction offices in Toronto's west end, and online across Canada. This is where I share what I'm noticing in my work, with practical Tend to It Tuesday posts and reflective Friday Field Notes. Take what's useful, and leave the rest. Learn more about me
For education only, not a substitute for therapy or medical advice.
Why Our Systems Resist Change: The Science of Staying
The first week of January usually comes with a lot of pressure to "change everything." But by the second week, many of us feel a familiar pull back toward our old habits. Often, we label this as a lack of willpower, but the reality is much more scientific: your body has a biological preference for what is familiar.
In therapy, we look at this through the lens of homeostasis. Your nervous system interprets "familiar" as "safe," even if that familiar pattern is actually painful or exhausting.