To Fear or Not to Fear
Fear is such an elusive concept. We can’t live with it, and we can’t live without it. We need it to keep ourselves safe, and our bodies are constantly scanning our surroundings to determine what is safe and what is not. Marginalized populations and those living with anxiety often experience this as a kind of ongoing hypervigilance.
If you are someone who jumps when something drops or startles easily, it may be a signal that your system is operating in a heightened state of alert. When we live this way for extended periods, the body begins to show wear and tear, and it can become harder to distinguish what is truly urgent from what simply feels urgent.
This is often the work I do with executive women who feel compelled to respond to every perceived emergency, no matter the time of day or night.
Fear is natural when we encounter the unknown or step into new ways of being. And yet, being ruled by fear is not sustainable.
In my coaching, I begin with an understanding of a person’s strengths, along with the blind spots that can accompany them. Often, individuals who are highly driven to execute and achieve are, in part, being propelled by fear. Fear of failure. Fear of imperfection. Fear of letting others down. They sometimes report that they feel they are running on a treadmill that they cannot get off of.
Because the unconscious mind governs much of our behavior and can be difficult to access on our own, it can be powerful to have a trusted partner to help unpack the stories we are living by. This is the work I do with my clients.
So, how much fear is the right amount? For example, is it natural to feel fear before public speaking? Yes, absolutely. Most of us cannot move through life without experiencing some level of fear. In many cases, fear provides just enough activation in the nervous system to help us prepare, focus, and move forward.
How do we know when fear is taking up too much space? This is where awareness begins in the body. Noticing the signals your body is sending can offer powerful insight. Simply observing what is happening internally can create clarity about the role fear is playing. Even something as simple as tracking your resting heart rate on a fitness watch can offer clues.
If you feel called to explore this more deeply or would like support with practical self-care tools, I would be glad to connect. I offer a free Connection Call to gently and safely explore your experience with fear.
