Fear is a feeling that every person experiences at some point in life. We all fear something—sometimes the unknown, sometimes the familiar. We fear losing our loved ones, losing our health, financial instability, darkness, exams, and even the thought of how we appear to others. The fear of lacking confidence, the fear of raising children alone, fear of divorce, and fear of not getting a job—these fears seep into every small and large aspect of our lives.
Have you ever thought about how fear works in our lives? Why
do we sometimes hold back from fulfilling our biggest dreams because we're
afraid of failure? Or why do we panic when alone in the dark, even though it’s
just a psychological fear?
The existence of fear resides deep within our minds, and
understanding it and confronting it is the key to our growth. When we run from
our fears, they grow stronger. But when we face them, we can overcome them.
What is Fear?
Fear is a natural response, connected to our brain’s
"fight or flight" mechanism. Whenever our brain senses danger, it
alerts us. This triggers hormonal changes in the body that help us make
decisions based on the situation.
Often, fear is more a product of our imagination than an
actual danger. We feel something that might not even be real. That’s why it’s
important to recognize our fears and understand whether they are real or just a
creation of our mind.
I always had big dreams—good job, deep relationships, and a
desire for self-growth. But there was one thing in my life that was holding me
back—fear.
Whenever I faced a new challenge, whether it was a job
interview or opening up in a close relationship, my mind would panic. Waves of
anxiety would rush through me, and I would get stressed. Fear would take over
my mind, entangling me in countless "what if" questions. My heart
would race, my palms would sweat, and it would feel like my breath quickened.
Physically, my body was filled with the signs of fear—rapid
heartbeat, dry throat, and sudden weakness in the body. These symptoms showed
how fear affects both mentally and physically.
Fear wasn’t just affecting my body and mind, it was taking
over every aspect of my life. Whenever a new job opportunity came up, I would
shy away from interviews due to my fear. I thought I wouldn’t succeed. Even in
relationships, I couldn’t openly share my thoughts because I was afraid of
being misunderstood.
Gradually, fear began to stop me from progressing. I became
scared to learn new things, hesitant to go to new places, and the biggest
impact was that I started losing confidence. I feared lizards, I feared being
alone. I feared losing myself. I feared being away from my family, and I feared
losing my son. I didn’t know when this fear overtook me, but slowly, it seemed
to bind my life.
Then one day, I decided to talk to my fear:
Me: "Fear, why do you dominate my life so much?
Why, every time I try to do something new, do you pull me back?"
Fear: "I’m not here to stop you, but to keep you
alert. My job is to tell you what could happen, but it’s up to you whether to
listen and understand me or run away from me."
Me: "So, will I make the right decisions by
listening to you every time? But because of you, I often freeze, like during
interviews—you show me the fear of failure."
Fear: "I show you failure because I know you
dislike it. But have you ever thought about how important the lessons are after
failure?"
Me: "So you're saying that fear of failure can
teach me something new?"
Fear: "Absolutely! As long as you run from me, I
will grow stronger. But the moment you face me, you will weaken me. Every time
you take a step forward, even if it’s out of fear of failure, you will move one
step closer to success."
Me: "But sometimes you seem so big, like when I
think about being alone or the thought of losing my son. It feels overwhelming
to deal with these emotions."
Fear: "That’s natural. The fear of losing
someone dear is the deepest of all. But remember, the more you fight these
thoughts, the more they will trouble you. Sometimes, you need to accept that
these fears are just a part of your mind. Worrying about things beyond your
control can make you weaker."
Me: "So will I ever be completely free from
you?"
Fear: "No, but you can make me your companion.
The moment you make peace with me and understand me, I will stop blocking your
path and start walking alongside you."
Me: "So I just need to accept you and keep
moving forward with every step, right?"
Fear: "Yes, your strength is within you, and I
am just here to help you discover it."
One day, I decided that I would confront my fear. I listed
down every fear I had. Then, I asked myself—Is this fear really worth my
progress? I started with small things, giving myself little challenges, and
slowly, I began to overcome my fears.
I learned that fear is a natural emotion, but if we
understand it and learn how to deal with it, it can't hold us back. Fear is
natural, but stepping out of it is within our control.
Conclusion:
Fear is a natural feeling, but we shouldn’t let it take over
our lives. When we face our fears, we break through our limitations and
recognize the strength within us. So, the next time you feel afraid, accept it
with a smile and know that you can move beyond it.
Don’t run from your fear—face it.