If fear was a person, it would be that toxic ex who shows up uninvited, trashes your self-esteem, and makes you believe you can’t survive without it. But guess what? You CAN. And you WILL. Because today, we’re taking fear by the collar and showing it who’s boss.
So grab your emotional support iced coffee, and let’s dive into six ways to face your fears like the fearless queen you were meant to be.
1. Acknowledge That Fear Is a Liar (And a Drama Queen)
Fear has one job: to keep you “safe.” But safe is just another word for “stuck.” It whispers worst-case scenarios in your ear like a bad reality show narrator, convincing you that if you try something new, you’ll definitely fail and probably embarrass yourself in the process.
Reality Check:
- That presentation won’t ruin your career.
- That crush won’t laugh in your face.
- That solo trip won’t result in a horror movie plot.
Next time fear starts its dramatics, call it out: “Oh, you again? How original.” And do the thing anyway.
2. Reframe the Worst-Case Scenario
Okay, let’s play a game: What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen if you faced your fear? Now, take that ridiculous thought and ask yourself, “Would I survive it?” Spoiler alert: The answer is almost always YES.
Example:
- You start a business and fail. So what? You gain experience and try again.
- You post a TikTok and get zero likes. Who cares? Beyoncé doesn’t know half these people either.
- You speak up in a meeting and stumble over your words. Literally no one remembers by lunch.
Your brain is out here acting like you’re walking into a pit of fire when, really, you’re just sending a risky text. Perspective, babe.
3. Take the “Five-Second Rule” Approach
If you give fear too much time, it sets up camp in your brain, unpacks all its luggage, and settles in. So don’t give it that chance.
The “Five-Second Rule” (shoutout to Mel Robbins) is simple: The moment you feel fear creeping in, count down from five and TAKE ACTION before your brain talks you out of it.
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Send that email.
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Say yes to the opportunity.
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Walk into the gym like you own the place.
4. Use Fear as a GPS (Instead of an Obstacle)
Newsflash: Fear isn’t always a stop sign. Sometimes, it’s a glowing neon sign pointing to something life-changing. If something scares you but excites you at the same time, that’s your cue to go for it.
Ask Yourself:
- Does this fear come from actual danger (like, will I get eaten by a bear)?
- Or is this just my brain panicking because it doesn’t like new things?
If it’s the latter, run straight toward it. That’s where growth happens.
5. Make Friends with Embarrassment
Fear loves to remind you that failure is “humiliating.” But here’s the truth: Nobody is thinking about you as much as you think they are.
- That one time you tripped in public? Only you remember.
- That awkward joke you made? No one cared.
- That Instagram post you deleted because you “looked weird”? Literally no one noticed.
The faster you stop fearing embarrassment, the faster you unlock a life of freedom. So be bold, be cringe, be a little messy, because the people who succeed aren’t the ones who never fail. They’re the ones who keep showing up even when they fail.
6. Act Like Your Future Self Already Exists
Picture the version of you who has already conquered her fears. The girl who speaks her mind, goes after what she wants, and doesn’t let anxiety make decisions for her. What would she do right now?
- Would she let fear stop her from applying for that dream job?
- Would she say no to an opportunity because she’s scared of what people think?
- Would she keep playing small because she’s afraid to fail?
Nah, sis. She would go for it. And since she’s just you in the future, you might as well start acting like her now.
Final Thoughts (Aka, Your Pep Talk)
Listen, fear isn’t going anywhere. It’s always going to be lurking, waiting for a chance to pull you back into your comfort zone. But now, you have something it doesn’t: awareness.
You know its tricks. You know it lies. And most importantly, you know you’re stronger than it.
So take a deep breath, remind yourself that you are THAT GIRL, and do the scary thing anyway. Because if you let fear call the shots, you’ll wake up one day with regret instead of memories.
And between the two? Memories win. Every. Single. Time.
