Overcoming Fear by Facing Greater Fears
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Chapter 1: The Power of Facing Your Fears
It may sound a bit odd, but when trying to conquer a fear, consider confronting something that terrifies you even more. Personally, I had a longstanding fear of needles. As a child, I would scream at the top of my lungs and needed to be restrained during vaccinations. This is a common fear that many people carry throughout their lives, and I thought it would always be with me.
When I was scheduled to receive a shot in middle school, the mere thought sent me into a panic, especially since it was going to happen in front of my classmates. I spent the entire week in a state of anxiety. However, when the moment arrived, and the nurse approached me with the needle, I surprised myself—I didn’t react at all. There was no screaming, no flinching, and no hyperventilating. My fear of embarrassing myself outweighed my fear of the needle, and from that moment on, I found needles no longer bothered me.
The first video discusses how to overcome fear, featuring Trevor Ragan. He shares insights on facing fears head-on, which aligns with the idea of confronting larger fears to diminish smaller ones.
Chapter 1.1: Confronting the Unknown
Another fear that has lingered for me is encountering wild animals. I’ve always felt uneasy walking in the woods or being near unfamiliar pets. Although I had pets growing up, like my dog named Pet (not the best naming choice for a five-year-old), I still felt anxious around unknown animals due to their unpredictability and the risk of bites or scratches.
Last year, a baby squirrel fell from my porch roof, landing right at my feet. I felt no fear for my safety, as it was a small, helpless creature. However, I hesitated to touch it. As I crouched down and noticed its weak breathing, my fear of doing nothing for a suffering animal overshadowed my apprehension about being bitten or catching diseases. With gloved hands, I carefully placed the squirrel in a basket with a blanket and sought food for it from a friend. I tended to it as best as I could until we located a wildlife professional. This act of compassion, though seemingly simple, filled me with pride as I overcame my initial discomfort.
Subsection 1.1.1: Utilizing Fear to Propel Growth
I began applying this concept of using greater fears to tackle smaller ones in various areas of my life. For instance, when I was anxious about a class presentation, my fear of appearing overly invested was minor compared to my fear of receiving a poor grade.
As a new nurse, I hesitated to express my views, but the fear of my patient’s condition worsening if I didn’t advocate for them was even greater.
Chapter 2: Evolving Perspectives on Fear
This approach doesn’t mean I will become completely fearless. I still prefer to avoid activities like swimming with sharks or skydiving. However, I am gradually challenging my misconceptions about fear and learning how to stop it from ruining experiences that matter to me.
The second video outlines 11 effective strategies for overcoming fear and anxiety, providing practical advice that complements the message of confronting larger fears.
Currently, my biggest struggle involves the fear of being judged. I tend to be more reserved than I wish to be, but I am making progress each day. Recently, I realized that my fear of judgment pales in comparison to my deep fear of leading an unfulfilled life. The value of meaningful experiences far outweighs the potential for judgment, allowing me to take steps toward overcoming this fear.