The Hidden Power of Fear:
Why It’s Not Your Enemy, But Your Teacher
Our First Taste of Fear: From Birth to Bold Decisions
We come into this world screaming and crying—bewildered by new surroundings and heightened senses. Our warm, quiet home becomes a distant memory. That moment is our very first taste of fear.
Fear floods our minds when we consider doing something bold, even as simple as ordering your usual at Starbucks. It widens your imagination, making irrational scenarios seem possible. These wild fears mix with rational thoughts, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart. Fear can be wicked and relentless.
How Fear Protects Us and Sometimes Holds Us Back
Fear stops us from standing too close to a platform edge or venturing into dark alleys late at night. It keeps us vigilant and shields us from danger. Yet, this hyper-vigilance sometimes breeds paranoia—looking over your shoulder only to see your own shadow. Fear blurs the line between reality and imagination.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, fear positively impacted society: people wore masks and stayed home to protect others. Fear of hurting others created empathy—an unexpected gift from an emotion we often try to avoid.
Fear as an Overprotective Guardian: The Cost of Avoiding Failure
Fear is like an overprotective mother—good intentions but poor execution. It keeps us sheltered, inexperienced, and terrified of failure. Fear convinces us that failure is awful and must be avoided. But failure is an essential speed bump on the road to success—full of invaluable lessons that build strength and resilience. These lessons remind us why we began our journey.
Peeling Back Fear’s Veil to See Clearly
Fear acts like a veil, fuzzing the image of what’s truly in front of us. Stepping away from fear means peeling back that veil to see clearly—no “what ifs” or outlandish scenarios—just the simple reality of the task at hand.
We need to reassure fear that it’s going to be okay. By understanding and acknowledging fear, we can still do the damn thing anyway. You don’t need to be fearless to succeed—you just need to be aware.
My Journey: How Fear Stopped Me for 26 Years—and How I’m Moving Forward
Fear held me back from pursuing a writing career for 26 years. It terrified me so much that I lied to myself about what I truly love and sought validation from others instead of myself. It took hardships to reach a place where failure no longer scares me and societal validation no longer controls me.
I rushed through the speed bumps, damaging my car trying to reach the finish line without reflecting on why I started. But those bumps made me who I am today, and I’m eternally thankful for their lessons.
This is me telling my fear: I’m going to be okay. And I’m ready for whatever comes next on this journey.
