04/17/2026
Ever wonder if you can change a knee-jerk reaction you’ve had since childhood?
From a neuropsychological perspective, the answer is yes. There’s no universal timeline for rewiring a nervous system response, but neuroplasticity shows that it is possible - your brain can always form new pathways (Doidge, 2007).
Those old patterns weren’t flaws. They were brilliant adaptations designed to keep you safe in the context of your early life. The goal isn’t to erase them, but to create new, more resilient responses that honor who you are today.
Terrance Real talks about how relational patterns - what he calls the “interactive self” in US (2002) - can be rewritten when we bring awareness and intention to how we respond. Your nervous system learned these patterns, and with practice, it can learn differently.
Here’s a simple practice to begin:
→ Notice the feeling without judgment.
→ Offer a moment of soothing - hand on heart, one slow breath.
→ Choose one small, intentional action that reflects the response you want now.
Your brain and nervous system are capable of growth and change, and each small step matters.
Save this if you’re exploring where your beliefs and automatic responses came from. 🧠
References:
Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. Penguin.
Real, T. (2002). Us: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most. Scribner.
