Fear is a main ingredient.
You can't skip it when you are trying to make something new.
Being afraid is the most normal part of trying something new. It’s on the main ingredients list. So if you give yourself permission to attempt something—whether it’s a life changing decision or ordering something you have never tried before—there is usually fear and anxiety with it.
I was talking to a young man this summer and when I said something about being afraid he was in shock. He didn’t think I was ever afraid. I realised that I haven’t done a good enough job of talking about that part out loud. Of course I’m afraid! If you asked me what one of my main characteristics are I would say terrified! I’ve lived a pretty extraordinary life so far and making that happen has included so much fear.
And, also (my words of the year are coming in very handy!) fear isn’t one of the things I let stop me from moving towards the life I want. The kinds of fear that I decide to stop me are the ones like—I shouldn’t walk down this path in the twilight because I will probably meet a bear if I do.
That doesn’t mean that fear doesn’t slow you down. Fear is a braking system. It’s meant to be and it can be really useful. Fear can be your past traumas shouting out to remind you that they need something in order to join you on this adventure—more data, comfort, a walk-through of a situation so it doesn’t repeat one that didn’t work out. Fear can be your body misinterpreting excitement. If you’ve had a rough go at this life so far it can take some intentional work to teach your body the difference between fear and excitement.
Fear can also be a strong compass and partner to remind you that you really are doing something new and different. And that means you’re on your way to the change you seek. As with most things, give yourself the moment to let fear deliver its message, let your brain mark it as read, and take action from there.
We’ve got this.
Want to know more about “How to Give Yourself Permission?” Download my short audio course today and begin the journey of being more kind to yourself while you learn to take action. https://www.slsourwine.com/howtogiveyourselfpermission