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.