Breaking the Chains of Fear
Humans are creatures of habit; we find comfort in the familiar. Our routines provide a sense of stability and predictability, making us feel safe and in control.
However, when we step outside our comfort zones, our brains often interpret this as fear,
Fear—False Evidence Appearing Real—is an invisible force that feels so real it keeps us trapped and panicked, limiting our growth and potential.
Today, I would like to share my personal process of how not to let fear control me and how to embrace fear with new approaches.
1 Get comfortable with uncomfortable
One day, I was intrigued and fascinated by a friend striking elegant poses while suspending on a piece of fabric known as aerial yoga which combines traditional yoga poses, Pilates, and dance using a suspended hammock.
When I got the opportunity to take lessons, I jumped right in. As much as I was super excited, an unshakable fear also crept in. I was shaking as I climbed into the hammock and wobbled, trying to find my balance on the moving fabric. I had forgotten I was scared of heights. Then, the spinning motion started making me feel dizzy. Not to mention, this was just the beginning. “Let your legs go higher and over your head for the inversion,” the instructor explained.
Suddenly, the idea that I might fall and crack my neck crept into my head. I couldn’t help but hold the fabric extremely tight. The uncomfortable and unfamiliar activity increased my heart rate and tightened my muscles. Determined not to let fear stop me from pursuing my dreams, I forced myself to take a step back and get comfortable, simply sitting on the hammock and swinging. Six months later, the fear of using a hammock and doing inversions was gone.
Newness equals anxiety. By regularly exposing ourselves to new and unfamiliar situations, our brains learn to adapt.
For example, meeting new people or picking up a new hobby.
As we actively engage with new experiences. The neural pathways are reshaped, reducing the fear response to novelty. Over time, our brains begin to recognize that new experiences are not threats but opportunities for growth and enrichment.
2 Gaining Control with Knowledge
One of the reasons we have fear is that we feel we have no control over it. This applies to my fear of finance and money.
After my dad passed away, I experienced an overwhelming fear about money. I felt vulnerable and unprotected, as if I had no safety net or anyone to rely on if I made a mistake. As I began to assess my fear towards money, I realized that a significant part of my anxiety stemmed from a lack of financial knowledge. Without understanding the intricacies of finance, I felt powerless and out of control.
As I delved deeper into my fear, I realized that the key to overcoming it was to understand the jargon and concepts related to money. I decided to join an insurance broker, which might seem unrelated to overcoming financial fear at first glance. However, insurance brokers deal with people’s finances during critical life events, making them a valuable resource.
Even better, the insurance company offered free training on various financial topics, from insurance to investment. These training sessions provided me with the knowledge I needed to feel more confident and in control of my finances.
The more knowledgeable I became, the less fearful I felt. Knowledge surely beats fear.
3 Let Fear Be Your Motivation
Fear is not always bad; in fact, it can be incredibly beneficial if you embrace it from a different perspective.
When I was diagnosed with a patellar tilt, where my kneecaps bent outward, it resulted in torn ligaments and painful inflammation, causing difficulties in walking, often crippling and making me wobble on the verge of losing balance.
As I began rehab, the journey ahead seemed daunting and uncertain. Each day was a battle against the pain and the effort required to correct my distorted body. It was hard, but I motivated myself by focusing on a greater fear: the prospect of needing surgery or losing my ability to walk. This fear propelled me to embark on the long, difficult / arduous journey of rehabilitation.
With my patellar tilt, I needed to train shrunken/atrophied muscles, relax overused ones, and rebuild new ones. I faced daily battles with intense exercises to strengthen my knees, enduring setbacks and tears.
Each step in rehab was like a baby step—daunting, painful, and tiring. But the fear of losing my mobility was a powerful motivator. I used this fear to push through the discomfort and stick to my rehab. I had to train my brain, core, muscles, and balance all over again.
Letting fear motivate you can transform daunting tasks into manageable goals. By confronting your fears head-on and using them as fuel, you can achieve things that once seemed impossible.
Conclusion
Those are my three ways to Breaking the Chains of Fear
1. Embrace Discomfort
2. Empower Yourself with Knowledge
3. Harness Fear as Motivation
By adopting these strategies, we can turn fear from a paralyzing force into a catalyst for growth and positive change.
