Fear is horrible. It might do us some good if we are in a life threatening situation and need to flee. But most of the time we fear silly things in everyday life, such as going to a party, having to make an important phone call, trying something new, making a presentation at work etc. Like most writers I fear writing…
Yep, I fear writing. I fear not being well received, not being understood. I fear not being interesting – and most importantly – not being read at all.
When I was younger fear could really take a hold of me, I was paralysed by it. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t reach out to anybody. I just hid in my home. Never even answered the phone.
One of the advantages of getting older is that you start to take things less seriously. That includes my fear of being creative.
Having to live with my fear for some time now it’s starting to feel like an old friend. I know of its habits and usual tricks. Suddenly I have the upper hand. I know how my fear works.
Fear still grips me, but after the first icy cold moments I take a deep breath and push it away. I’m not getting fooled by it any longer. It helps reading about other authors and writers, successful people. They all feel the fear. It’s part of the game.
The key is to think like a pro. Just do it! Write, for heaven’s sake.
My life is starting to change – because I no longer let fear take over. It’s scary (haha!) at times. And amazingly liberating.
Is this what they call slaying the dragon? I’m not much for slaying, but I like the idea of having a pet dragon. (As long as it doesn’t breathe fire over my laptop, books and papers.)
But I won’t let fear win. Not anymore.