ErinjIf fear was not running the show in my life, I would feel empowered and confident. I would have 100 stamps on my passport!

Continual self-doubts and low self-esteem can enable fear to enter and consume my daily life. Often times I can’t make decisions about which cereal I want to buy out of worry that I will make the wrong choice! My fear of inadequacy and my inability to make confident, informed choices has cost me a semester abroad, a two week trip to Eastern Europe with my best friend, a job and countless different boxes of cereal.

In 2014, I have devised a plan to kick my fears out of my life (or at least out of reach). Because even though being fearful is a natural and innate feeling, sometimes it can be a real Debbie Downer.

Be aware of your fear.

erinj2They say the first step to overcoming an addiction is knowing that you have a problem. Be aware of your fear, know that it is real and it can alter your life in the most negative way if you let it. I really like the quote by Karim Seddiki, “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Well dang. My fear is real and the sooner I realize how it is a barrier between me and my dreams; I can start taking action to change this. My fears are stealing precious time!

 

Sometimes you need to start small.

erinj1For me, I have dreams and aspirations to travel the world, cook like Julia Child and be a walking encyclopedia. My unwillingness to accept my abilities inhibits me from trying most things, inevitably deferring my long term goals. My head starts churning and I ask myself, “What if I don’t make friends in Europe?” “What if I’m not cut out for the whole independent travel thing?” “What if I am completely awful at cooking, or get bored and realize I don’t like it?” Okay Erin, chill. What IF all these things were true? You will never know until you get your butt moving and take action. I need to start small. If that means taking a weekend trip to see friends in Boston, Chicago or Raleigh, then that’s what I will do. The cooking? How about taking a beginner’s class? Just one. No Pressure. And I can become the walking encyclopedia slowly but surely, getting lost one afternoon in a museum (which also combats my fear of being alone. Thus killing 2 birds, one stone).

Well, I am going to take my own advice and start small. Stay tuned for part two of my journey to kick fear to the curb!

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