If You’re Not Scared, You’re Not Growing

I’ve had to say this to myself so many times. I’ve said this very same thing to so many others. The third or fourth time I used this phrase to talk one of my friends off of a ledge, I was like holy shit I am getting this tattooed on my body. That and “This Too Shall Pass”. Right on top of my cool foot tattoo I got in high school.

Everyone has their own set of fears. Social anxiety, public speaking (me), hosting a class, traveling alone. It’s so easy to avoid these situations by saying “it’s just not my thing”, “I don’t have that type of personality”, or “no chance I’ll be able to hit that goal”. So here’s the thing, that is not you talking honey buns. That my friend, is fear.

Imagine if everyone stayed in their comfort zone. Like holy shit, nobody would like their jobs, so many friendships just would never even have the chance to happen. There would be no sense of accomplishment in your life, and worst of all you would not be growing.

I have to travel alone to the Dominican Republic for work tomorrow and I’ve been dreading it. I’m an extrovert so the fact that I’ll be essentially living alone for a week sounds like hell. What really makes me anxious is the traveling part. Not only to a place I’ve never been before, but the actual airport gives me agita. Why? I have no idea, but currently it is one of my fears I have to face in order for it not to be a fear anymore. Maybe I started to get used to my husband travelling with me. Maybe I am afraid I’ll miss the flight and be stuck there forever (dead ass serious, my thoughts). Public speaking makes me want to stroke out. Again, no clue why. I could talk a stranger into a coma but when all eyes are on me I get all weird. Putting myself out there to share my love affair with oils made me feel things in the beginning but like I tell my oily friends, it would be rude not to share them! I remember my first event not too long ago I was like holy shit why am I nervous? This is my home? I still get a little nervous before all of these fear triggering situations but in the end I always look back like, why the fuck did I waste so much energy being so nervous? In the end I grew and these fears became not so scary after all.

So that leads to my conclusion. Whatever you fear, do it. Fucking make yourself do it. You can literally do anything. Afraid to present at a meeting? Volunteer to do it. Figure out coping mechanisms. Pretend the friggin room is naked. Scared to take the job with a higher pay because you don’t think you can live up to the expectations? Take it and work your ass off. The house you’re in love with is (slightly) out of your budget and you don’t know if you can afford it? Buy it. If you need a second job to afford it, get one. Everything works out in the end and the fear always passes.

Remember, on the other side of fear is growth and that sense of accomplishment always outweighs fear.

Author: The Dimes Club

I thoroughly enjoy vino, my friends + family, amazon finds + creating apparel for my brand, The Dimes Club. Here you will find my random, scattered thoughts and obsessions on one website. Hopefully it is useful to you. Even if it isn’t, thanks for tuning in. View all posts by The Dimes Club