Rewiring the Fear Response

My partner and I took a lovely trip to New York City over the past weekend to celebrate the marriage of two lovely humans. We took in all of the sites: the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the 911 Memorial, and a Broadway Show. (I highly recommend the Buena Vista Social Club). 

What struck me as surprising was that a number of people issued warnings before our travel began. “Don’t take the subway at night.” “I wanted to travel there but I have heard it is too dangerous.” and more. Imagine how many people will miss taking in the splendor and excitement of NYC because they are too afraid to travel there.

We took the subway at night. We never felt unsafe. In fact, it was a beautiful cultural experience that renewed my faith in humanity. People were friendly, not chatty, but kind and yielding to those who were in a hurry, needed a seat, or were lost. We were never lost, thanks to modern technology - Google Maps.

Consider for yourself what you have said no to lately, or over the course of your life. Perhaps you have declined speaking engagements, trips with friends or family, having challenging conversations that may have led to a different outcome than what you may have expected. Maybe fear kept you from setting boundaries that would have helped you live more deeply in alignment with your values and core beliefs. 

Fear has become so conditioned into our being that we sometimes cannot recognize the complex web that holds us back. 

I invite you to pause at this moment. Take a breath. Notice where you hold your fear. Breathe into that space.

Consider, what would you like instead? What would it be like to let go of 1% or the smallest fraction of the fear. To lift the heavy dark blanket of fear away and peak out from underneath. What do you notice? 

I invite you to lean into curiosity. What if, even for a moment, curiosity replaced some of the fear? We’re all walking through the unknown—so what happens if you meet it with playfulness and a spirit of discovery? What if life isn’t something to fear, but an adventure to explore?

Try it on. Be curious. Curiosity is truly the cure for so many things. What does it feel like to be curious instead of fearful?

Our brains are tricky, aren’t they? While it is clear they want us to be safe, the negativity bias can be so strong that it keeps us stuck. It feels like “shackles” to quote Martha Beck. 

Here is a challenge for you my friend… If curiosity feels challenging, try it on for ten minutes. Journal about what is possible. 

Our brains are capable of neuroplastic change and adaptation even though new behaviors and ways of thinking can feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable, adopting them becomes easier with practice. 

If you would like to experience a free call with me to explore what is possible when we are fearlessly aligned, I would love to connect. Here is the link to schedule: https://calendly.com/klear-water/discovery-call-1

If you would like to receive my journaling exercise that can help you explore fear in a safe way, shoot me an email and I will send it to your inbox (stacy@klearwatercoaching.com).

Please know that you are not broken. You have everything you need inside to live the life you desire and to feel happy and free.

Big love.