Don’t Be Afraid of Your Fears

Fears can be vanquished, tolerated or avoided. Your life, your decision. Fear is an instinct not a sign of weakness.

Fear is a complex emotional event manifesting itself in various forms and affecting each individual in a uniquely personal manner. Rational fear is an instinctive defense mechanism, an intuitive warning of potential danger. It’s your body and mind saying, “Hold on a minute. Let’s think about this.”

Rational fears are less about the item or event at the forefront of the emotion and more about the unknown consequences surrounding it. Basic problem-solving skills can be applied to attacking a rational fear.

Many rites of passage through life are frightening but must be faced regardless of the consequences. Graduating from college, leaving your parents’ house, and starting a career are all rational fears in the normal course of becoming an adult.

If you break down the fear, you begin to see the commonality between these items is the unknown. Not knowing how it will feel to live alone, not knowing if you will be accepted into a new community, not knowing if you will be successful at a career you have studied but not experienced.

For me, it turns out my apartment was my sanctuary and I was well suited to the practical application of my studies. A straightforward conquering of fear.