Relabeling Anxiety is the new Life Changing Way to DIY!

“Let the thrill of life outweigh the fear of life!”

I’m often a bit amused? by people’s enthusiasm because of? butterflies in their stomach (like when we first meet someone we’re attracted to), yet how much we simultaneously malign very similar feelings by labeling them nervousness or anxiety. I am certainly not being dismissive of the unease that I know some people feel these days, yet I’m always going to be speaking of reframing and rewiring new neural pathways. So what about shifting the focus from fear to a lot more fun? What about seeing some of the things that you fear as part of the roller coaster ride, part of stretching and strengthening yourself? What if you could even see this expansion, while sometimes uncomfortable, as actually appealing?

Nervousness and excitement are two emotions often closely intertwined, yet they manifest in different ways and serve distinct purposes in our psychological and physiological responses. But are we manipulating the ways that we see them and therefore creating these responses ourselves?

Nervousness typically arises in anticipation of an upcoming event or situation that is perceived as threatening or unfamiliar. We all know that it can manifest as feelings of unease, apprehension, or worry. Physiologically, nervousness triggers the body's stress response, leading to symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, shallow breathing, and muscle tension. These physiological changes are evolutionary adaptations designed to prepare us to deal with potential threats or challenges. Please note that if I were saying this aloud to you, I would be emphasizing the word “POTENTIAL”! No one is saying that we are always facing actual threats every time that we interpret a situation as one that elicits fear or anxiety.

On the other hand, excitement stems from a sense of anticipation and eagerness towards something positive or rewarding. It is characterized by feelings of enthusiasm, anticipation, and heightened arousal. While excitement can also trigger physiological responses similar to nervousness, such as increased heart rate and adrenaline release, the overall emotional experience is one of positivity and anticipation rather than apprehension.

Despite their differences, nervousness and excitement share common ground in terms of arousal levels and physiological responses. Both emotions involve activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for action. The key distinction lies in your cognitive interpretation of the situation: nervousness is often associated with negative expectations or concerns, whereas excitement is linked to positive anticipation and eagerness.

Are you seeing it? The context and your individual perception play significant roles in differentiating between nervousness and excitement! For example, someone might feel nervous before a job interview due to the fear of failure or judgment, whereas another person might experience excitement for the same interview, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and advancement.

In essence, nervousness and excitement are two sides of the same coin, reflecting our psychological and physiological responses to anticipation and arousal. While nervousness tends to be associated with negative expectations and apprehension, excitement signifies positive anticipation and eagerness. But what if you flip the script and start seeing things differently? What if before you do anything that previously made you nervous you thought to yourself: “I’m out here doing the Dang thing! I’m brave, I’m sticking my neck out, I’m getting on the proverbial dance floor! Life is an adventure, and I’m here to ride as many rides as possible, even the ones that make me sick afterwards or scare me while I’m on them.”

The truth is that fear often weaves its threads through the thrill of the unknown. It can be a delicate dance between trepidation and exhilaration, where the choices we make determine whether we shrink back or step forward into? what? life can offer us. If we start focusing on possibility and ignoring perceived limitations, the dance floor is ours, even if you have two left feet like me! The quote, "Let the thrill of life outweigh the fear of life," encapsulates my profound philosophy that urges us to embrace this life and to break the shackles of fear that often hold us back.

Life, by its very nature, is a rollercoaster of experiences. It presents us with moments of sheer joy, intertwined with challenges that evoke fear, uncertainty, and wild disappointment and heartache. But since we know this, since we are smart enough and shown enough examples of how all of our lives have extreme ups and downs, why do we still tend to want to stay off the rides? Why do we fear so many of them? Why do they make us nervous instead of excited?

Part of it is that our brains crave familiarity, they are wired for it. They are designed to keep us safe, and for most of us, we don’t challenge their means of keeping us in line. But I’m asking you to start working against them, not on all counts but a bit on this one. We’ve gotten to the point in history where we get nervous about going out without our phones and excited about watching a new tv series. Does anyone see anything problematic with this?

I’m not here to knock whatever tv you like, but I am here to remind you that It's the adrenaline rush of pursuing our dreams despite the odds and the heart-pounding excitement of stepping into the unknown, that gives us the authentic dopamine hits we are all craving so deeply.

Fear has a stealthy way of creeping into the corridors of our minds, casting shadows over our aspirations and ambitions. It whispers doubts, conjures worst-case scenarios, and convinces us of our limitations. Yet, it's essential to recognize that fear, though a natural instinct for self-preservation, can also become a barrier to living fully. It's when we allow fear to dictate our actions that we stifle our potential and deprive ourselves of the butterflies-in-the-stomach lives we could be living.

Living boldly doesn't mean the absence of fear. Instead, it involves acknowledging fear's presence and choosing to confront it head-on. If it was poker, you’d see Fear’s hand, and it would be a strong one, and you’d still up the ante. It's about living authentically, without the constraints of fear dictating our choices or holding us back from realizing our true potential.

Of course it could be argued that a healthy balance between thrill and fear is essential for making informed and responsible choices. Ultimately, the choice to let the thrill of life outweigh the fear of life is yours to make. It requires a shift in perspective, a willingness to embrace discomfort, and a steadfast belief in your ability to navigate life's twists and turns with grace and resilience.?

But remember to dance. Remember to throw your head back on the ride and scream as loudly as you can sometimes. And if you need any help being reminded of how to climb on the roller coasters like an excited 10 year old, visit me at https://www.jamesgrayrobinson.com/