Afraid of How People Will React to Your Career Change? Here’s What’s Really Holding You Back
* This blog post was co-created with AI, using my transcript. My aim is for the blog to be as verbatim as possible, so you’re in contact with me not the robots! Using AI means the blog can exist in the first place so it’s a use that works for me right now!
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Other People’s Reactions to Your Career Choices Are Not Your Problem
Welcome back to Blueprints to Becoming. Today we’re talking about how other people’s reactions to your career choices are not your problem.
We’ll cover the four big fears that stop us when we’re worrying about other people’s reactions, the assumption trap we can get stuck in, and how to reclaim your decision-making power when it’s those reactions that are holding you back.
The Four Big Fears That Hold Us Back
1. Fear of judgment. We worry others will think we’re making a bad choice—especially when changing paths from a “proper job,” a high salary, or a well-regarded role. Moving away from that can feel risky in other people’s eyes.
2. Fear of disappointment. This one is punchy when it comes from family. If you’ve invested time, money, and energy into a career, leaving it can feel like letting them down.
3. Fear of criticism. We anticipate negative feedback, pushback, or being talked out of our decision.
4. Fear of losing reputation. We worry we won’t live up to an image we’ve built, even if it’s partly imagined. Big changes can make us seem different to others—and feel different inside ourselves.
My Experience With Reputation Fears
I felt this when I moved from film and television into tech and corporate. I feared I’d be alienated from my film-life connections. I also felt it when I left corporate for self-employment, wondering if friends saw me as sliding down the ladder instead of climbing it.
The Assumption Trap
Whenever we anticipate someone’s reaction, we’re making an assumption. We can’t truly know how they’ll respond—past behaviour isn’t proof of future behaviour. Letting go of mind reading frees up mental energy and clarity.
Often, the judgments we imagine from others are actually our own self-criticism, disappointment, or doubt projected outward.
Why Change Feels Threatening (to You and Them)
It’s normal to feel fear when making a change—our brains like comfort and familiarity. Friends and family may also find it unsettling when we shift from what they expect of us.
Reclaiming Your Decision-Making Power
- Remember: you live your life, not them. You’re the one waking up to your work every day.
- Ask yourself: do I really know how they’ll react, or am I assuming?
- Notice if your fear is actually about your own doubts rather than their imagined reaction.
Find Your Believing Mirrors
Julia Cameron’s book Finding Water talks about “believing mirrors”—people who fully have your back, believe in you, and reflect the best version of you. When you’re afraid of others’ reactions, think about what your believing mirrors would say, and maybe have that conversation with them.
Bring It Back to You
What do you want, and why do you want it? Even with dependents, it’s still your life. The way you provide needs to work for you.
Recap
Other people’s reactions are theirs to own, not yours. Dropping the need to predict or control those responses frees you to make decisions right for you—not for someone else’s imagined reaction.
This week, if you hesitate because of an expected reaction, ask: is it true, or am I assuming? And does it matter in my day-to-day life?
Lean on Your Believing Mirrors
Call them, message them, tell them how much you value them, and involve them in your process. And if it’s too soon to share with anyone, that’s a great time to work with a coach—someone with no judgment who can help you explore your ideas in a safe space.
If this resonated, please rate, review, subscribe, and share with a friend stuck in assumption mode. Next week, we’ll talk about why being emotional isn’t a bad thing and how it could actually be one of your greatest strengths. See you then.
