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Why It Feels Hard Before It Gets Easier: Understanding the Extinction Burst

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Have you ever tried to change a habit, boundary, or pattern, only to feel like it gets worse before it gets better? That frustrating spike in resistance is called an extinction burst, a well-documented psychological phenomenon where behavior you’re trying to release or change actually intensifies first when the reinforcement stops. 

In this episode, I break down how extinction bursts show up in everyday life - in nervous system reactions, relationships, old habits, and emotional resistance - and how understanding them helps you stay steady through the tricky middle of personal growth instead of interpreting it as failure.

You’ll hear:

  • What an extinction burst actually is (and why patterns spike when they seem like they “should be fading”) 
  • Why resistance, cravings, or old behaviors can feel amplified right when you’re making real progress 
  • How this shows up in habits, boundaries, and nervous system shifts
  • What it feels like - and how to interpret it as a sign you’re on the brink of change, not stuck in failure

    • If you’ve ever felt discouraged when change feels harder, this episode is for you.

    👉 Listen to learn how to stay compassionate with yourself and ride the wave of resistance toward lasting transformation.

    If you’re feeling called to slow down, reconnect, and create with more ease, you can book a 1:1 coaching session with me here:

    https://www.mklifecoach.com/bookyoursession

    For daily reminders and reflections, follow me on Instagram @morgantylerking

    You can also find me on TikTok mk.life.coach

    And if you’d like weekly notes for women learning to trust themselves and live with more ease, join my newsletter below.

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