Feel the Fear, Sis, and Do It Anyway
Let me tell you, fear and I go way back. Growing up in a home marked by abuse, fear was my constant shadow. It became my survival guide, whispering, Stay quiet, stay small, and maybe you’ll be safe. And for a time, that worked. Fear kept me invisible, but it also kept me stuck.
As I got older, fear didn’t just pack up and leave—it transformed into anxiety, wrapping itself around my life like a too-tight sweater. It clouded my joy, robbed me of opportunities, and hid behind a mask I wore with pride: perfectionism. I thought if I just worked hard enough, stayed flawless enough, I could outrun the fear. But here’s the truth I had to learn: perfectionism is nothing but fear in stilettos, pretending to be fancy. (Shoutout to Elizabeth Gilbert for saying it best.)
As a psychologist, admitting I struggled with fear and anxiety was hard. There’s this idea that we’re supposed to have it all figured out. But y’all, being human doesn’t come with a rulebook, and vulnerability isn’t a flaw—it’s the root of real courage.
What I’ve learned is that fear doesn’t just show up screaming “Run!” Sometimes it’s subtle, disguising itself in how we react:
Fight: Snapping at people or getting defensive.
Flight: Avoiding challenges and opportunities.
Freeze: Feeling stuck, unsure of what to do.
Fawn: People-pleasing just to keep the peace.
Sound familiar? Because same. For a long time, anxiety ruled my life. But one day, I decided I was done letting fear call the shots. I wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines while my dreams passed me by.
Here’s the thing: fear never fully goes away. It’ll always be there, whispering doubts in your ear. But the secret is realizing that fear doesn’t have to stop you. When I feel fear creeping in now, I take a breath and remind myself: You don’t have to wait to feel ready. You just have to move.
So, I started doing it scared—starting that project, taking that leap, speaking up, and showing up. Fear and anxiety are still along for the ride, but now they’re in the backseat, and I’m the one steering.
Bravery isn’t the absence of fear—it’s feeling the fear and moving forward anyway. Courage is a muscle you build every time you take a step into the unknown.
Reflection Prompt:
Where is fear showing up in your life, and what’s one brave, small step you can take to move past it?
Listen, sis: fear might knock on your door, but it doesn’t have to unpack and stay. Feel it, honor it, but don’t let it stop you. Your dreams are waiting on the other side.
Rooting for your bold moves,
Dr. Brooklyn Chick 🌱✨
