What a predicament we’re in.

Fear is such a strong emotion that can lead to lashing out, running away, disassociating, avoiding… and yet because of our current lifestyles plus a lack of tools for processing our emotions, we often get stuck in the part of our nervous system responsible for fear. This really hinders our ability to get out of comfort zones and go beyond what currently is, into the unknown.

Fear is meant to be felt for a moment. To inform of danger and to awaken the senses for potential threats. It is not meant to be a constant state. In order to step closer to something bigger, scarier, the unknown it would be wise to understand and learn how to move through your fears.

What does it feel like on the other side of fear?

We all have a good idea for how it feels to be in a state of fear… breathing and heart rate increase; muscles tense; we run or duck or scream or hide. In addition, stress hormones are released throughout the body such as adrenaline and cortisol and our energy is shifted towards survival (and away from the stomach which is why we can have stomach disturbances when worried/anxious/overstressed).

But let’s go beyond that… If you’ve ever done something you never thought you would for fear of it, you know what this feels like on the other side. Take a moment and go back to the moment you realized you moved through the fear, you made it despite the discomfort.

Relief. Confidence. Euphoria. Strength. Pride. Compassion for past versions of the self. Maybe you even felt a sense of freedom!! All of these states are possible on the other side of your fears, yet how do we move through the resistance to get there? One little step at a time.

Practicing uncomfortable things is a really good way to begin this work of facing fears. If you haven’t done this in a while or ever, please find a tiny, baby, achievable but still kinda scary thing to do. You MUST flex this muscle in lots of little ways to build your bravery muscles. This way when you find yourself on the edge of something bigger, YOU HAVE BEEN PRACTICING and know how to take a big breath and a big jump.

Every small scary thing that you move through provides a little more confidence, trust in self, and understanding of the reward that is right on the other side of the discomfort. This is the art of growing.

Practice doing uncomfortable things. Start small and build.

Make eye contact with strangers
Make small talk with a stranger
Sign up for a new class
Turn the water cold at the end of the shower
Jump in cold water
Plank or wall sit holds
Move your body in a challenging way
Brake Check (Take a break from a particular food, substance, habit)
Practice that second language you kinda know IRL
Do an activity you know you’re bad at aka fail on purpose
Perform or speak in public
Karaoke (even if just in your bff’s living room)
Donate money
Tell the truth when some asks “how are you?”
Do the healthy thing that’s not as fun
Go on a solo retreat/travels
Meditate
Witness your thoughts and words
Explore your thoughts and words
Feel your thoughts and words
Process your thoughts and words
Express your emotions
Get a tattoo :)

If you can see it, you can believe it. Using visualization in this guided meditation you can practice walking down the path in which you decide to forward even though there is fear in your way.