Fear–that intensely unpleasant emotion we’ve all felt. It can wreak all sorts of havoc on our lives and can greatly interrupt our mental, spiritual, and physical growth! It keeps us from achieving our goals and moving forward in life. Plus, it can become truly debilitating if we let it!
To put it plainly, fear keeps us stuck.
With that in mind, today, I want to talk about a few ways you can combat fear and get what you want out of life.
Let’s get started!
1. Release yourself from the judgment of others.
We’re so concerned with what others think of us, we let that govern the choices we make. We let anxiety take over. For example, you may be scared to leave your marriage because of what friends and family would say. Or maybe you’re too nervous to switch careers because of what others in your industry would think of you. Not doing something you want to do because of what you think others will think? What the hell?!
Here's your reality check. Others will always have something to say whether you’re following the rules or not. They need to make their lives full of masala (spices) in some way, and you might happen to be the choice du jour of the day. That’s their problem, not yours.
Release yourself from the judgment of others and get on with your life! If they’re going to talk regardless (hint: they are), you might as well do what you want. No anxiety or fear necessary.
2. Become friends with change.
Not all change is bad! Change allows us to experience new things, develop new skills, meet new people, and heal from past situations. Change can be a beautiful thing if you let it be!
I know that sometimes we have no choice whether change is coming in life (*cough*, *cough*, that damn Covid!), but there are ways to handle it without letting fear and anxiety drive the bus.
To be more accepting of change and to make it your friend in life, start to identify five good things about the changes you see in your life. See a new job opportunity, but you’re afraid to make the leap? Note five things in your life that would benefit from the move. Are your children going off to college, leaving you with an empty nest? I know it’s hard, but list five things you’ll get the opportunity to do now that you have more time. In the long run, you’ll start to have less anxiety when things come up.
Friendships are built with time. Take the time to build that with change.
3. Incorporate breathwork into your daily life.
While fear is experienced in the mind, it presents itself in the physical body. It shows up as an anxious feeling in the chest, an anxious feeling in the belly, a stress headache, or something else entirely. Incorporating a breathwork practice can greatly assist you in decreasing the physical effects of fear (and anxiety!) when it arises. We’re human, and you won’t just magically become fearless. It’s a lifetime of work and commitment, and breathwork can truly help in those darker moments. Breathe in love; breathe out fear!
You can also use meditation to create space between you and your fearful self. Taking this time to be mindful daily is a chance to detach from all feelings and emotions, including fear. Building that separation between your mindful, highest Self and your emotional self will allow you to depersonalize fear when you feel it.
Want to work on managing fear a bit more?
I’m so glad you asked. I’m a happiness coach, and I can help you overcome fear and anxiety so that you can live a happier, healthier life. To learn more about how I can help you achieve an optimal life, let’s connect!
