When President Franklin D. Roosevelt said “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself”, he was talking about moving America forward during his presidency. Those words are some of the truest ever spoken, no matter the situation. Unless spiders are involved, spiders are terrifying.
In our lives, we harbor fears that hold us back as people.
Whether they are fears from real experience, or just simply trepidations developed through a lack of self-esteem, fear is a cancer in your life. To quote one of my favorite songs ever:
Fear, in itself, will chew reel you in and spit you out – over and over again. Believe in yourself, and you will walk.
Fear in itself, use you up, like you were never enough – yeah, I used to fall, but now I get back up.
-Blue October, Fear
Here are some common fears that can hold you back in life that you just need to let go of:
Being Wrong
It is absolutely bound to happen – you’re going to be wrong about something at least once in your life. If you’re like me, you’re wrong several times a day, and that is okay. We learn from being wrong. Being wrong is what makes us grow. No one ever solved a maze without hitting a couple of dead ends, so shake it off and move forward.
Being Wrong
What is normal? If you ask me, normal is boring. So what if people label you as “weird”? Being yourself is one of the most beautiful things you can do. Don’t be afraid to be exactly who you are. If the people around you think you are weird, maybe you’re surrounded by the wrong people?
Having Values
We all have beliefs, be them religious, or just inherited through our lives as we get older. They encompass everything from how we treat others, to how we feel about our own actions. No matter what your beliefs, you should never be afraid to have them. If you want to believe that a big bunny is hiding eggs in your bushes, that’s fine. Just bear in mind that others around you have beliefs too, and as much as you want them to respect yours, you should respect theirs. If something bothers you, speak up, and don’t be afraid to do so. There is a difference between speaking your mind and being judgmental.
Being Judged
Let’s face it, people are going to judge you. Everywhere you go, and in everything you do. You might as well be afraid of raindrops in a monsoon. Knowing that people are going to judge you, regardless of what they say, and regardless of what you do, frees you to just be yourself. In reality, letting go of the fear of judgment is one of the most liberating things a person can experience.
Being intuitive
Intuition is a skill that is developed through experience. Don’t be afraid to trust your gut in life, because somewhere in the dark part of your brain there is a lesson that was learned that pertains to your current situation. Intuition can sometimes seem irrational, but it’s completely normal. What is the alternative? Overthinking and over analyzing every aspect of your life? Trust that voice in the back of your mind, it knows what it is talking about.