Fear gets a lot of credit for “keeping us alive.” And yes, when we are in true danger, fear does play a role in our survival.
But what happens when fear isn’t coming from a life-or-death situation? What happens when fear is used to control, manipulate, or silence?
Fear, when used with intention, can motivate us to grow, to act, and to make bold changes. But more often than not, that’s not how it’s being used—especially for those of us who were raised in systems that wanted us compliant, not empowered.
When Fear is Here to Harm You
It shows up as:
• Guilt if you think about choosing rest
• Anxiety if you consider speaking up
• Doubt when you finally start something new
• Silence when your truth feels too heavy to say out loud
And over time, that kind of fear doesn’t protect you; it paralyzes you: It keeps you stuck. You start second-guessing what you know to be right. You stop making moves that help your growth. You stay small, but not because you lack vision, but because you’ve been taught that safety = silence.
Now, here’s the truth: You Can Reclaim How You Use Fear
Fear can be fuel if you’re the one driving. You can feel afraid and still take the leap. You can be in a place where you’re not sure and still move forward. The difference? Who’s in charge.
When fear is used against you, it limits your life. When fear is recognized and moved through, it expands it. Now, how powerful is that?!
I Want You to Ask Yourself:
• Is this fear here to protect me or to prevent me?
• Am I feeling fear because I’m unsafe or because I am unaware of what it feels like to be free?
• Who benefits when I stay small?
You deserve a life that’s not ruled by fear. Not managed by it. But one that moves through it, all the way to peace, clarity, and power.
Let’s talk more about this on my latest YouTube video, How Systems (and People) Taught You to Be Afraid, and How to Break Free, where I go deeper into the ways fear is passed down, programmed in us, and how we can begin to rise out of it… together.
