Embracing the 'F' Word: Navigating Fear and Failure
Recently, I watched Inside Out Two, and it inspired me to create this episode. (Spoiler alert!) The creators did an amazing job showcasing the relationship between fear and anxiety. Fear, anxiety, failure—it’s all connected. So, let’s talk about it.
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Understanding Fear
In Inside Out, Joy introduces Fear, who is responsible for keeping Riley safe. Fear’s core function is to ensure Riley avoids dangerous situations. This mirrors our own experiences with fear—it’s a survival emotion designed to protect us.
At some point in our lives, we all experience fear. Whether it’s diving into a lake, spotting a spider, singing in front of an audience, or following our dreams, fear is a universal emotion. Reflecting on my own journey, I realized that fear often held me back. When I started living alone and taking on new responsibilities, I was terrified. I frequently found myself in fight-flight-freeze situations, often opting for fleeing and freezing.
Psychologists define fear as a protective, primal emotion triggering a biochemical and emotional response known as fight-or-flight, with some adding freeze to the list. Fear isn’t inherently bad; it serves an evolutionary purpose for safety. However, it shouldn’t prevent us from living fulfilling lives. Understanding this allows us to navigate fear more effectively.
Steps to Navigate Fear
Identify the Fear: Clearly define what you’re afraid of.
Understand the Root Cause: Reflect on the origin of this fear.
Educate Yourself: Gather information to reduce fear’s power.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Reframe your thinking.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Engage in stress-reducing activities.
Take Gradual Steps: Face your fear in manageable steps.
Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or professionals.
Set Goals: Create specific, achievable goals.
Visualize Success: Imagine overcoming your fear.
Reward Yourself: Celebrate small victories.
Navigating fear involves understanding, gradual exposure, and support. Transforming fear into a motivator for growth can help us lead more fulfilling lives.
Redefining Failure
Let’s talk about failure—often viewed as a lack of success. I used to hear a voice telling me that failure meant I was lacking in success. They were wrong.
A crucial part of growth is accepting failure. Reflect on the last time you failed. For me, it was my recent wellness goals. I wasn’t prioritizing my health, and it took a toll on me. Acknowledging my failure allowed me to start over and try again.
Failure is often stigmatized. We’re taught to fear it and avoid it. But what if we viewed failure as an opportunity for learning and growth? Embracing failure as part of the process allows us to take risks and push boundaries.
Women, in particular, face societal pressures to avoid failure. From a young age, girls are often conditioned to strive for perfection, leading to an intense fear of failure. This conditioning can vary across cultures but consistently reinforces the fear of making mistakes.
Consider Oprah Winfrey’s story. Fired from her first television job, she faced significant setbacks before becoming a media mogul. Steve Jobs, too, faced failure before leading Apple to unprecedented success. These stories highlight the importance of resilience and self-belief.
Steps to Navigate Failure
Navigating failure involves acknowledging and analyzing it, reframing it as a learning experience, and developing a plan for improvement. Building resilience and maintaining a positive attitude are key to turning failure into a stepping stone for future success.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining me in exploring fear and failure. These emotions, often seen as negative, can be powerful tools for growth and self-improvement. By embracing them, we become stronger and more resilient, pushing boundaries and achieving our goals.
Call to Action
If you found this episode helpful, share it on social media and tag me. Your support helps spread the message. Check the show notes for merch links—grab your stickers and support the podcast! Subscribe and rate this podcast five stars if you haven't already; your feedback helps us improve and bring more valuable content.
Until next time, keep facing your fears, embracing your failures, and taking up space. You've got this!
