What is Fear?

A great coach once told me that fear stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all carry fear with us. Especially fear of the unknown. We live in a world where so much of what we do is controlled and planned. So when something is uncertain, it throws us off and fear comes creeping in. The unknown is completely out of our control... so how do we deal with it? What do we do when fear shows up?

For some, fear is paralyzing.

For others, fear pushes them to do the opposite - to keep on the run, to over-perform, to prove something.

For those of us that become paralyzed with fear, it starts by us dimming our light the moment fear creeps in. We hide. We push aside our dreams, our goals, our voice and go into survival mode.

We think: If I just do nothing, maybe the fear will go away.

We start self-sabotaging without even realizing it - choosing to stay in the comfort zone because at least we know it. But here’s the truth: when you’re stuck, when nothing’s happening… that is self-sabotage. You’re holding yourself back from growth, from expansion, from stepping into the version of yourself you’ve been praying for.

You can’t get to the next chapter, the next season - the one you’re meant for, if you’re too afraid to take the first step.

So ask yourself…

Is it really fear?

Or is it just false evidence appearing real?

Sometimes, all you need to do is take that first step forward - even if it feels hard, even if everything in you wants to freeze. But the last thing you want to do is regress or stay stuck in the fire. You’ve got to keep walking to get out of hell.

It starts with one step… then the next… and then another. Before you know it, fear has nowhere to live because you are moving. And guess what? Nothing bad actually happened. You’re still here. The light at the end of the tunnel starts to show, one step at a time.

So when fear shows up, face it. Don’t let it stop you. Make moves. Even slowly. Even with caution. But move. Because the truth is, fear is just false evidence appearing real. And the moment you prove it wrong? It looses its power.

Choose you. Every time.

Nanette