how to creatively deal with fear, get unstuck, and take action toward your dreams
FEAR. WE ALL HAVE IT
You know. When your heart races.
When you're afraid of failure.
Of judgement.
When you wake up in the middle of the night, obsessing about all of thee worst things that could really happen.
When you're afraid you might make the wrong decision.
Or (this is a pretty common one), that you're so scared of success there's a part of you that might think you don't deserve it.
Or when you simply just can't freakin' (gasp) - breathe.
Been there, done that. Not fun.
"HOW TO DEAL?" YOU ASK
Well, this is how I do it:
I get it down on paper, baby. I open my journal, and write. And then, I write some more. Until, I can't possibly write any more. Yes, I just basically puke my thoughts out. Get it allllll out. Then immediately shut the darn thing and walk away.
Then, I might take a little break. Breathe. Ponder my thoughts. And think to myself, "What the hell was that all about?"
After I've gotten all my fears, doubts, worries, limited beliefs, judgments, and self-criticisms down on paper. I carve some time out for a little inspiration, whatever that might be.
Sometimes it might involve watching a brilliant Ted Talk or a motivating Tony Robbins video (straight from the 80's - or is it the 90's?) Have you seen some of the old-school seminars? Not knocking 'em - I actually learn quite a lot from these brave, brave souls...stepping up to the plate, in front of a massive audience with microphone in hand, boldly, facing their FEARS and being more vulnerable and courageous than I could ever be.
Anyways.
ONE THING I LOVE TO DO WHEN I AM STUCK, IS CREATE SOME ART
Try it. Pretty pleeease.
Break out with your paint brushes, pens, pencils, markers --- even your adorable five-year-old's jumbo Crayola's --- and simply make a mark in your journal or anything laying around...a piece of wood, or even yesterday's grocery list.
I know, I know. I'm always telling you to doodle this and doodle that. But have you seriously, honestly, tried it? (No, really. For reals.)
THE NEXT TIME FEAR CREEPS INTO YOUR DAY, OR HECK, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLIPPIN' NIGHT (C'MON, I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE), I WANT YOU TO TRY SOMETHING:
1. Go onto Google Search for an inspirational quote that moves you, right at that moment. Break out your journal, a piece of paper, or something, and pull out your art supplies. Can't forget the pretty art supplies!
2. Write --- no wait --- draw the words onto the page. Make it fancy. Or make it messy. Do it with feeling. With meaning. And then, add little doodle accents all around your special quote. Or you can experiment with paints and stencils, like I did in this video:
DID YOU DO IT? HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Here's the thing. Fear is inevitable. It's part of life. Acknowledge it. Then, move on.
Fear lives in our left-brain hemispheres, where our logical, ego-based minds reside. With creativity, we could tap into our right-brain hemispheres, where non-judgmental, love-based truths reside.
One thing we have to remember is that we have a choice. A choice to be paralyzed by fear. Or to do something about it. And, as we all know, doing something is a catalyst for moving forward and creating the changes we need to make in our lives for the better, even if means learning from our failures or walking away from something that no longer serves us.
After all is said and done, just like the Lotus Flower, you will slowly emerge from the mucky mess, only to be a beautiful source of inspiration for those around you.
HOW DO YOU GET UNSTUCK AND BUST THROUGH FEAR? PLEASE, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
This post is a part of the Summit Blog Tour, which leads up to the Soul*Full Summit hosted by the wonderul, Catherine Just (if you haven't met her yet, her beautiful photography and soulful approach to life and business is, well...just see for yourself) --- and you get to meet her adorable son, Max, too. I’m thrilled to be a part of an event that empowers entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to take action toward their dreams while helping create more opportunities for people with Down syndrome. You can join the movement by signing up for the Summit HERE:
