What fears have you overcome and how?

I used to be the go-to person for cowering in fear! I mean, it felt like I was constantly living on the back foot. You know … that feeling you get when you’re about to step into an icy shower or when you’re about to eat a new food for the first time? That’s how I felt about so many things in life! But I eventually decided that enough is enough – it was time to boss up.

Fear is a natural human emotion that can often feel crippling or overwhelming. Facing your fears can be a daunting task, but it is one of the most important steps in personal growth.

Here are five fears that I struggled with and how I conquered them;

1. Fear of Earthquakes/natural disasters –

After experiencing severe tremors living in an Earthquake Prone Zone Level V – Very High Risk for earthquake, i.e. seismic zone. In Arunachal Pradesh…I am left with a constant fear of earthquakes. To overcome it, I researched about the pattern and causes of earthquakes, and identified safe spots during an earthquake. I also practiced drills with my family and prepare emergency kits…. which boosted my confidence in handling the situation. With time, I learned to feel safer and more prepared in my environment which gave me a little bit of peace of mind( Though I still can’t sleep for days if I feel the tremors) Now, instead of being paralyzed with fear, I feel empowered and take pride in knowing that I am prepared.

2. Fear of Slimy Creatures –

Earthworms, slugs, snails, and other slimy species made me cringe in disgust and fear. To overcome this fear, I learned more about these creatures and their benefits for the ecosystem. I also started to interact with them by wearing gloves(i can’t still bear to touch them with bare hands) . You see am still a work in progress…

As I became more comfortable with these species, I appreciated their role in nature and even started advocating for their importance.

3.Fear of heights –

Looking down from a tall building or cliff used to give me a panic attack. Nonetheless, to face my fear of heights, I started small by visiting parks on higher grounds. Then, I moved on to activities like zip-lining and bungee jumping. Even though I have never done skydiving, these smaller activities helped me to push past my anxieties and overcome my fear of heights.

4. Fear of Public Speaking –

The thought of public speaking once made my palms sweaty and my heart race. I used to get nauseous just imagining standing in front of an audience and addressing them.

To overcome this fear, I took baby steps by volunteering to speak up in small groups and workshops.I’d practice at home and in front of my family and eventually even branched out to speaking at events and won prizes. It wasn’t easy… but I had to remind myself that like most things in life, public speaking is a skill that can be honed.
With time, I was able to deliver speeches and presentations with ease and even volunteered as a public speaker for a non-profit organization.

5. Fear of Failure –

One of my biggest fears was failure. I’d read all these cute sayings about learning from failure, and I’d smile and nod along politely. But deep down, I was terrified of crashing and burning.

What if I got laughed at…?

What if I lost all credibility…?

It took some self-reflection and tough love, but I eventually realized that failure is just a teacher in disguise. And I mean, if folks like Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey can fail, what was stopping me?

So there you have it, friends – my experiences of overcoming fear.

Sure, it’s not as thrilling as skydiving, but it’s a journey that’s opened up a world of opportunities for me.

And to anyone out there who feels like they’re stuck in a standstill zone because of fear – remember that the only way past it is through it!

Be afraid and do it anyway …