To fear, or not to fear?

Have the courage to act.

As children, we meticulously balance ourselves on the tightrope of safety and danger. Living life so fearlessly, not afraid to take risks, try new things, and tackle those damn monkey bars like you’re going for gold at the Paris Olympics, even though with near certainty you will break an arm. At the same time, we are shielded with a blanket of protection from a parent, a teacher, or a coach generously teaching us along the way about risks and the dangers of life, with an unyielding commitment to our safety and well-being.

We live in both worlds. One is of adventure, curiosity, and fearlessness, and the other is of confidence, security, and safety. Whether that be in reality or our imagination.

So, where along the road did it all change?

Doing nothing is doing something.

As adults, we tend to lose that childlike wonder and are not just more risk-averse in what we do, when we do it, and how we do it, but we become downright scaredy cats when it comes to living. Worried at every turn about what people think and how they will react, and worse yet, we are afraid to do anything about our lives that will make them more fulfilled, happier, and healthier.

We box ourselves in, surrounding ourselves with a security blanket, too fearful of our potential, the unknown, and the uncertainty of what the future holds for us and the challenges ahead, so we submit and tell ourselves that playing it safe is the wiser alternative.

When we let fear consume us and decide to “play it safe,” we train the mind and body to think that fear is a good thing. Complacency is a good thing. Mediocracy is a good thing. But when consumed by fear, it forces us to overthink, overreact, and overcorrect under the false assumption that we are doing the right thing. Fear has retrained our minds and bodies to act in this way. The outcome is you end up doing the opposite of what you think you are doing and create cycles of destructive behaviors that become self-sabotaging to your growth, health, and mental well-being.

Have the courage to act.

I understand that fear isn’t just about ego or living conservatively for many. Fear can be deeply rooted in trauma. Trauma that stems from your life experiences, grief, loss, and even the environment you were raised or live in today. Think about how you were raised as a child, what you witnessed, how your parents may have treated each other, the list goes on. These moments in time create a new version of us, somebody different from the day before, and the fear and trauma attaches itself to us like cancer.

But, when the fear of staying the same outweighs the fear of change, that is when you find the courage to act and make a change.

Don’t be afraid to change any part of yourself — you’ll still be there, only better. Edward B. Burger

Be brave enough to suck at something new.

Our entire life journey is about small acts of courage and overcoming fear. It takes hard work, self-awareness, intentionality, and a deep connection with yourself, your experiences, and your values. You are playing the long game, and growth is slow, so be patient with yourself.

But you must start somewhere, so why not try something new. Find the small things that bring you joy, peace, and comfort. Tap into that. Little by little, you will find yourself again and slowly overcome fears of uncertainty. These smaller incremental steps towards growth will compound where you will find the courage to act, and overcome what’s holding you back.

Please follow along on Instagram @amusebouchelife! ❤️