Categories
Self

How To Overcome the Fear of Starting Something

It’s never easy to start something, especially if it requires us to learn new things and get out of our comfort zone. Be it starting a new business or leaving your current job or starting a new relationship. Below are some ideas that can help you navigate through this paralyzing emotion we call Fear.

Table of Contents

  • Admit your feelings
  • Be vulnerable
  • Let the worst happen
  • No such thing as small fears
  • Be all in
  • Build a Safety Net
  • You are not alone

  • Admit your feelings

Acknowledging the fear is probably the first big step in getting out of it. Let yourself *feel* this tricky emotion. The next step is to ask yourself what it is you are afraid of. There are no right or wrong answers to this. Whatever it is that you are afraid of, name it and know that these fears are totally valid.

  • Be vulnerable

This goes hand in hand with the previous one. Allow yourself to unravel. You’re the only one doing it for you. It’s NOT like you go on a stage and air your fears to the public. It’s just you and your fears. Nobody is going to hurt you if you let yourself feel. If anything, bottling up emotions will manifest in other totally unexpected ways.

  • Let the worst happen

This seems a bit counter-intuitive but bear with me here. While being objective, think about the worst that can happen. You want to start a Youtube vlog? What’s the worst that can happen? People not subscribing? Videos flopping? At the end of the day, you still put out good content and that’s what matters. Think of the worst thing and tell yourself, “SO WHAT?” You’re fine, you still have a roof over your head, and you can still eat. Really, starting something will not automatically capsize your life.

  • No such thing as small fears

You could be afraid of a butterfly or of losing your job or afraid that your date will ghost you afterwards, whatever it is that’s stopping your tracks because you are afraid, remind yourself that it’s okay to feel that way. These are just feelings; they come and go. No matter how small they are, if it hinders you from moving forward, you have to acknowledge it and not shove them under the carpet. Whether big or small, all those fears are valid. They are all part of you.

  • Be all in

I’m not saying dive headfirst and YOLO your way into your new venture. I’m saying that once you’ve decided that something is worth pursuing, be there along with your fears. It’s okay to take them with you. It’s actually wise to have a bit of uncertainty, in that way you become more discerning.

  • Build a Safety Net

A safety net means a safeguard against possible hardship or adversity. Think of it as risk reduction portfolio. A failsafe. Build that safety net first so you can move as freely as possible without having to worry about your basic needs.  

  • You are not alone

Everyone has fears. I have it, your friend has it, your boss has it. It’s a universal human experience. Knowing this, you can seek help to people that inspires you or share your thoughts with people whom you trust. You totally got this!

Can you identify some fears that play out in your life right now? Do they move you into action or paralyze you? Feel free to use the journal templates below that I made just for you. Download it and upload to Instagram stories. You can also tag me if you like @ofloveandbeyond.

Advertisement
Categories
Productivity & Organization

Everything That I Need, I Already Have

Online shopping really changed the game for consumption. Never has purchasing been this easy and quick. Adding to cart and checking out has probably become a habit.  

A major revelation occurred to me when I was dumbstruck about what to wear. I have this event that I needed to be, and I thought to myself “I have nothing to wear” while staring into a full, bursting closet.

So I did what any other gal probably would have done, I bought clothes online. It took me a long while to choose what I would want and pressed ‘check out”. The package came days later, and I was happy about the purchase. The day of the event came and I couldn’t even wear the damn thing. It didn’t feel right. So I rummaged beneath the piles of my existing clothes and emerged from it holding pieces of clothing that I eventually wore to the event. Why did I even buy the new clothes in the first place?

It happened to me again with electronics. I bought a charger because I swear, I couldn’t find my existing one. When my new one came, my old charger magically appeared under heaps of paper. My point is, when you think you need something, instead of falling into the habit of online shopping, look first into your existing collection of items and extend your resourcefulness.

It may mean the ideal you have in your head could be different than the one you already own, but you can tweak it in a way that suits your needs. Online shops present their items as shiny and as ideal as possible. With a little resourcefulness and creativity, we can also *make* our things as shiny and as functional as possible.

I know it’s easier to just buy stuff online rather than tidying up your closet and checking every item you own. At some point, being resourceful and taking account of things you own, will be the only sustainable antidotes for impulsive consumerism.

Share your thoughts below.