With Every New Level,
Comes A New Devil
Why Growth Doesn't Erase Your Fears
Let’s cut to the chase: you’ve done the work.
You’ve stretched. You’ve healed. You’ve levelled up.
And then: bam! Out of nowhere, fear, doubt, and resistance sneak right back in.
It doesn’t make sense, right? Shouldn’t growth feel better by now?
Shouldn’t you feel happier? Shouldn’t things feel easier?
Here’s the hard truth no one tells you:
With every new level, comes a new devil.
What does that mean?
Every time you grow, your comfort zone shifts and so do your fears.
Every time you expand, the old stories you thought you’d healed can resurface in new ways.
Every time you step into a new identity your brain (and sometimes your body) will panic a little.
It shows up like:
- Self doubt after a big win
- Fear of visibility when stepping into a new role at work
- Perfectionism (re)appearing in new forms
- Comfort eating
You no longer feel “safe” in the old familiar pattern. Some parts of you (often without your consent) will try to pull you back to returning to that safety.
That’s the devil:
- The voice that says you’re not ready
- Old habits that sneak back in when you’re tired
- The self doubt that whispers “Who do you think you are?”
- Or just a defused feeling of unrest that you can’t really pinpoint
The Good News: this is absolutely normal!
New resistance often means you’re moving beyond your comfort zone. It’s not a problem but a proof of expansion. And awareness is the first step. And it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It doesn’t mean you’re “not cut out for this.”
It means you’re growing.
It has become some kind of a cliché but it’s true: growth isn’t linear.
It’s messy, stretchy, uncomfortable and full of new devils at every stage.
The difference between those who keep evolving and those who stay stuck?
They are not facing devils that are “easier” to defeat, but they keep going anyway.
How to keep going even when the devil gets in the way
Here’s what’s helped me and my clients when the new devil arrives:
Name It.
Call it out, give it a name. Awareness disarms the devil. “Annoying Alice is talking again. This is old acquaintance. You are no longer good for me and I’m not engaging with you anymore.”
To fully uncover your new devil ask yourself these questions:
What is something in my life that I’ve recently up-levelled?
What has become unexpectedly hard since I took that step forward?
What thoughts or fears are getting louder as I try to grow?
Where do I feel like I’m self-sabotaging, even though I know better?
What is this devil trying to protect me from?
If this fear had a voice, what would it say?
What part of me is afraid of being fully seen at this level?
Who am I becoming that scares the hell out of my old identity?
How can I thank the old her, love her and leave her behind?
If my higher self could respond to that fear, what would she say?
What would I do this week if I trusted myself despite the devil?
Don’t Fight It.
Fear doesn’t have to disappear for you to take action. Bring it along for the ride, but don’t let it drive.Celebrate the Devil’s Arrival.
Weird? Maybe.
But every time you hit a new edge, it means you’ve expanded enough to reach it. That’s progress.
Reach for Support.
You’re not meant to fight your devils alone. Reach out to your partner, your family, your friends, a coach, communities, or a therapist.
They remind you of who your grown version when you forget. And a journey is always more fun when done together.
Remember:
Growth is not about being fearless. It’s about expanding your capacity to move with fear. With every new level comes a new opportunity to become more of yourself and who you always wanted to be.