My coach once told me, “Louna, if you don’t take the leap, it’s only because you’re scared.” And you know what? He was right.
Nearly 4 in 10 (39.3%) adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in February 2021, compared to 32.3 percent in 2023. A KFF/CNN survey in October 2022 found that 90 percent of the public believes there is a mental health crisis in the U.S.
Fear, an emotion that can both immobilize us and drive us forward, is universal. Every one of us has felt it at some point. From the fear of the unknown to the fear of judgment, it takes many forms. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that it always boils down to a choice: where do we choose to focus? What’s really hiding behind our fears? How can we understand them, master them, and even turn them into sources of inspiration?
The Origin of Fear: From Survival to Modern Society
Since prehistoric times, fear has been a survival tool. Our ancestors used it to detect and escape dangers. Though the nature of these threats has evolved, fear remains. It has adapted to our modern society, manifesting itself in fears of being judged or failing. Understanding where this emotion comes from can help us manage it better. If a lion’s charging at us, fear is justified. But when facing a layoff, is it the actual situation that scares us or how we perceive it?
It’s vital to recognize that our emotional responses are often influenced by biases and beliefs instilled in us since childhood. Are we born with our fears? No, our parents project their fears onto us, teaching us to dread certain situations.
When Fear Holds You Back: From Avoidance to Acknowledgment
It’s okay to be scared, but the issue arises when that fear paralyzes us. Will you let these, sometimes subconscious, fears from your past control you? Or will you take control and confront them, asking yourself, “What am I genuinely afraid of?”
Fear can lurk behind avoidance behaviors, procrastination, or even impostor syndrome. Recognizing these signs is the first step towards reclaiming oneself.
When faced with a challenging situation, you have three choices:
- Accept the situation.
- Seek to improve it.
- Or leave it.
Sadly, many choose a fourth option: to wallow. This only amplifies our victim mentality, disconnecting us from our creative potential.
And when someone faces a problem and wants to make a change, confronting their fears is inevitable. It’s a myth to believe there’s a way around it—you have to dive in.
Fear as a Catalyst: Turning Terror into Inspiration
While fear can hold us back, it can also be a potent driver for creativity and innovation. Artists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers have used their fears as launching pads, propelling them to unparalleled heights:
- Entrepreneurs? They take risks. They fear failure. Yet many say that it’s this very fear that pushes them to excel. To innovate.
- Steve Jobs? He feared insignificance, which drove him to create groundbreaking products.
- Frida Kahlo? Her pain and fears fueled her poignant paintings.
- Albert Einstein? In “The Wisdom of Mistakes”: “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, as it’s the only way to learn.” A genius reminding us that errors aren’t the end, but a beginning—a step towards discovery.
It’s often the fear of living life to its fullest that holds us back. But what if we started looking at our fears differently? Asking ourselves:
“What if I started being true to myself? What if I stopped caring about others’ opinions? Embraced vulnerability, became authentic? Chased my dreams? And what’s the worst that could really happen?” Sometimes, a change in perspective is all it takes to transform a negative emotion into an endless source of inspiration.
The law of attraction: you don’t attract what you want, you attract who you are.
Taming Fear: Accessible Techniques for You
Confronting your fear is no easy feat. To effectively address our fears, we first need to pinpoint their origins. Often, you’ll find these fears have been imprinted by external influences, and recognizing this is already half the battle won.
There are countless ways to distance oneself from this illusion: from heart coherence breathing, which regulates your nervous system, to hypnosis, NLP, visualization, and gradual exposure. Everyone can find their suitable technique.
A simple yet profound exercise is to write down your fears. Putting them into words makes them tangible, letting you analyze and understand them. Slowly, you can move past them. Then, brainstorm solutions for each fear. Even if it’s hard, push through. You’ll be amazed by this exercise’s impact.
With consistent practice, you can tame this emotion, turning it into an ally.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Fear, It Guides You
Fear is an inherent part of the human experience. Instead of running or fighting it, learn to welcome it. It can guide, inform, and, if you allow it, catapult you to new horizons. Life is about movement. Either you choose to move, evolving consciously, or you stagnate, only to be jolted into motion by illness, accidents, breakups, layoffs, etc.
It always comes down to choice: where do you choose to focus? It’s time to act and stop making excuses.
So, when will you confront your fears?
