How to live with fears?

 

Fear is a healthy part of our lives. It is a kind of defence mechanism in case of attacks we might face. No matter how much we try to let go of it, in difficult situations, our first thought is always based on fear. In order to achieve a healthy level of fear in our lives, it is important that we learn to coexist with it rather than allowing it to dominate our lives.

Every major change in my life has come with a huge amount of fear. The scariest ones have been moving and changing jobs. Change itself is hard to process, and the unfamiliar people and situations involved only make the process more difficult. However, there always comes a moment when the desire to take action becomes stronger than the fear of change. This is a multi-step process, where the elements are equally effective both separately and together.

Acceptance of fear

The first step is accepting that fear is a part of your life. You learn to not fear fear itself, but to face it. Various meditation and breathing techniques can greatly help with this. As you practice more, you become more capable of confronting your fears, stepping into scary situations, and becoming more confident.

Understanding the roots of the fears

During the next step, you look at where the foundations of your fears come from. Using the technique of journaling, write down every negative thought that reinforces your fears. Recording these thoughts no longer wields the same strong influence over your mind, and upon revisiting them, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of your personal connection to your fears.

Focus on positive events

In this step, you learn to transform the initial negative reaction into a positive one. Behind every event, there is also a positive perspective. Let's not forget that the events in life are fundamentally neutral, it is your reaction that turns them into negative or positive. Let's strive to see the positive message behind events that may initially seem negative. Let's see the small positive puzzle pieces in your life that you might initially overlook. The morning sunshine, the smell of coffee, the beauty of changing nature, a child's smile. This way, you become aware of the positive things surrounding you. The more you choose the positive perspective instead of the negative one, the more this process becomes ingrained and becomes a habit.

Practice gratitude

Recall a daily event for which you can be grateful. The feeling of gratitude excludes fear. If you consciously find everyday events for which you can be grateful, the feeling of fear will gradually fade from your life.

Connect with nature

Disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the world and spend more time in nature. By focusing on your inner peace while not succumbing to external pressures, you can contribute to making the world a better place. This is a continuous practice that requires training your mind to switch from negative to positive.

Seek out a professional

A psychologist can help you understand the root causes of your anxiety and work with you to develop coping strategies. They can also provide a safe space for you to express and process your feelings. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards improving your mental health.

Living with fears doesn't mean letting them control your life. By adopting these strategies and integrating them into your daily routine, you can learn to manage fear in a healthy way.