I’m not here to talk about the fear that lights a fire within us but about the fear that dims our light.

More importantly, I want to share thoughts on breaking free from this shadow and stepping into your light.

By doing so, you’ll not only liberate yourself from a draining emotion but also empower yourself to stride boldly toward your dreams.

So, let’s navigate this journey together, explore how to face our fears, and embrace the freedom that comes with courage. Let’s discover the beauty in bravery, hand in hand.

Identify your fears so you can dissociate from them.

Dissociation consists, by definition, of separating oneself from something with which one is associated. So, it makes sense that separating yourself from your fears will lead you to get rid of them.

So, to achieve this, it is first essential to identify those preventing you from moving forward; it may be easy for some of them, but for others, it may escape your vigilance. You may be aware of being afraid of failure or the unknown, but some of your fears may seem elusive and irrational.

Once you become aware of your fears and identify them, you can step back and consider them from a more objective point of view. By getting into the habit of observing them, you will gradually detach yourself from the overwhelming emotions associated with them.

Then, you will begin to understand your fears better, see where they come from, identify the specific thoughts that trigger or even amplify them, and the emotions they cause. It will have the effect of strengthening your emotional intelligence and allowing you to manage, more and more systematically, your feelings and your reactions in fearful situations when they arise.

This dissociation gives you the power to control your fears rather than being controlled by them. It allows you to take a step back and rationally view the situation. It will enable you to move beyond your fears.

Persevere to anchor.

Overcoming fears isn’t a mere decision; it’s a journey requiring consistent effort, willpower, and resilience. It’s not about a one-time act of courage but the relentless pursuit of embracing and overcoming those fears. Each encounter with fear is an opportunity to step forward, and every effort needs to be repeated, reinforcing our strength. True transformation occurs through this continuous cycle of facing and overcoming fear.

Imagine speaking up is, for you, a challenge, and you’ve managed to do it at a business meeting, overcoming the initial barrier of your fear. It feels like an accomplishment, but the journey doesn’t end here. And the upcoming weekly seminar will be another opportunity to face that fear again. Doing so will increase your familiarity with the situation, reducing the unknown elements that amplify fear. The more familiar a situation becomes, the less intimidating it appears.

In this case, you build your confidence whenever you speak up. Each successful attempt reinforces your belief in your ability to speak in public settings, gradually reducing the fear associated with it.

Each successful attempt at overcoming a fear provides positive reinforcement, encouraging us to continue facing it. Step by step, the positive experiences will outweigh the negative ones, altering our perception of the subject of our fear and freeing us from it.

Embrace self-compassion.

Recognize that the journey to liberate yourself from your fears is challenging. Despite your resolve, there might be energy-draining moments, and you might feel overpowering. You might be tempted to surrender to your ego, the keeper of your identity. Be compassionate with yourself. And notice that there is an antidote to that.

Stay focused on your goal.

What’s the remedy? Keep your dream goal vividly in your sight. Visualize it whenever the journey feels overwhelming, and instead of distancing it like your fears, pull it closer. If we keep on track with our example, imagine yourself confidently speaking on stage, captivating hundreds with your words, feeling at ease, persuasive, and self-assured. Let this image resonate within you until it positively impacts your mind and body, becoming a part of you. Doesn’t speaking fearlessly in front of an audience feel liberating?

Celebrate your progress.

Lastly, give yourself a pat on the back. Positive reinforcement is a big part of successfully overcoming your fears. Consider the toll that criticism, whether from others or the voice inside your head, takes on your mind and body. Conversely, compliments and self-praise have a rejuvenating, positive effect. So, whenever you achieve a small victory and feel your fear diminishing, don’t hesitate to celebrate your progress and reward yourself!

Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory in overcoming your fears. Keep visualizing your success, stay compassionate with yourself, and remember to celebrate every milestone you reach!

Conclusion.

Remember, we all have our fears and dreams, and it’s never too late to start the journey to overcome one and embrace the other. 

For you, it might be about something other than the fear of standing in the spotlight and speaking to a crowd. Your fear could be something completely different. But no matter what, give yourself the grace to walk the path that brings your dreams and goals within reach—the ones that seem so distant because of the lurking fears.

One more thing: stay alert and tuned in to that little whisper inside you! It might be quietly bringing up old memories and experiences that planted those seeds of fear in you, often without you even realizing it. So, keep your eyes on what you want, and don’t let the shadows of yesterday dim the possibility of making things happen today.

If you feel scared again—and it would happen, but most likely less and less—remember, feelings come and go. Before you felt fear, you felt something else; after, you’ll feel something different again. Think about the good feelings that will come to get past the fear that tries to trick you.

I hope you have a nice walk on the path to making your dreams, the ones that seemed impossible, come true!

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