Tackle FEAR

Fear runs deep, deep in subconscious mind. And any situation can trigger it, making you freeze or fight. It's a normal emotional mechanism. But when it makes you do nothing, it is a concern.

You spend many years of your life trying to push fear away & running as fast as you can from it. But what you need to do is to allow yourself to lean into fear, to work through it, to face it head on. You need to show your anxiety & fear that you aren't afraid anymore. This is frightening act. But the alternative is to continue to run- & this is even more terrifying.

So what's the way out?

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEAR:- this is a major first step. We often ignore our fears & anxiety for so long that they progress into a part of us. You are not what your fear defines you. Compartmentalize your fear, separating it from yourself. Then peel back the layers & find out what it is that you fear. Is it disappointing others? Rejection? Failing? Something else? Recognize that it's building you back from becoming your true self.

Fear is sneaky. It can be quite obvious, presenting as physiological symptoms, or it can be much more obscure. Procrastination, perfectionism, & overwhelm can all be forms of fear. Explore if any of there are showing up for you & consider how they may be contributing to your lack of progress. When you pinpoint the underlying fear & how it is presenting, you diminish the power it has over you.

LEAN INTO YOUR FEAR:- When you feel like running, it's time to face your fear with courage. Although our automatic response is often to run away, numb our feelings, or somehow distract ourselves, escaping only temporarily relieves anxiety. Fear will return, possibly in a different form, until you choose to confront it with kindness.

Bring yourself into the present moment by noticing the sensations in your body. Where is fear showing up as discomfort for you? In your chest? Your stomach? Your throat? Fully experience it.

BEFRIEND YOUR FEAR:- Let fear know that you are not afraid of it. Ask it: "What are you trying to tell me? What do you want me to know?" What you will learn from asking these questions are that fear is trying to keep you safe from harm. A part of your past needs to be acknowledged & fear is whispering. "You can't move on & become more powerful self until you work through this, my friend." Then thank it for trying to protect you in the only way it knew.

EXERCISE:- Running has always been huge stress reliever. Whether it's running or yoga or something in between, movement calms you down by releasing chemicals called endorphins.

TRUST:- Fear & anxiety can stem from self-doubt & insecurities. If you regularly work on accessing your inner wisdom, & acting on what you learn, you will develop more trust in your ability to do what is best for you & handle whatever comes at you. You can begin to strengthen your relationship with your inner wisdom by journaling, meditating, & sitting in silence. This is an ongoing process that requires exploration.

One of the most effective ways to build self-trust is to take small steps forward. Know that it can (most likely will) be scary. But once you step out of your comfort zone, you will see much of what you were afraid of was in your imagination.

When you have done all you can, let go! Discern what is outside of your control & find the courage to release all expectations of it. You may find a sense of relief in allowing life to unfold naturally. You still might have moments when you get anxious & overly worried. In these moments, think about the influence your mind has over your body. Perhaps it's not about resisting your minds' ability to control you, but rather redirecting it's incredible power to work in your favour!