Fear is a liar—but it’s a convincing one. I didn’t always know I was living in fear. In fact, for most of my life, I thought I was just being careful. But when I finally got honest with myself, I realized every decision I made was rooted in fear—fear of not being enough, fear of losing what I had, fear of being judged, fear of being alone.
And none of it was real.
Fear Doesn’t Live in the Present
Fear loves to play in the shadows of the past and the “what ifs” of the future. But when we ground ourselves in this moment, we realize that most of the things we’re afraid of? Aren’t actually happening.
When I finally started to live in the present, my fears—those loud, relentless voices—quieted down. They didn’t vanish overnight, but they lost their grip. Fear thrives on secrecy and silence. When I finally opened up about my truth, I wasn’t met with rejection. I was met with compassion. That was the moment I learned that fear’s power depended entirely on my willingness to believe it.
When You Speak the Truth, Fear Loses Its Voice
Fear told me that if I shared what I was going through, people would walk away. That I’d be labeled “crazy.” That no one would understand. And for a long time, I believed it.
But the moment I found the courage to speak up, something miraculous happened: no one ran. Instead, they leaned in. They listened. They helped. And in that moment, I realized: my fear had been lying to me all along.
Fear is cunning. It will dress up as protection. It will whisper old stories from the past and pretend they still apply. But when we act in contrary motion—when we move forward anyway—we take our power back.
Feel the Fear, Then Do It Anyway
Fear still shows up in my life, but now I know to ask:
- Is this fear true right now?
- Is this fear based on fact or just feeling?
- Am I responding to reality or a recycled lie?
I’ve learned to breathe, to pause, and to stay present. And when fear tries to get loud again, I remind myself: “Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
That’s not just a quote—it’s a truth I’ve lived.
The Power to Break Free Has Always Been Yours
There’s a difference between the fear that keeps us safe and the fear that keeps us small. The latter is what robs us of opportunity, connection, and joy. And here’s the truth: you are not powerless against it.
The more you speak your truth, the weaker fear becomes. And the more you move in spite of fear, the stronger you become. So today, choose truth over fear. Choose growth over comfort. Choose you.
Fear may knock, but it doesn’t get to live here anymore.
SLAY on.
SLAY Reflection
- Do you let fear control your life or stop you from going after what you want?
- What past situations did fear prevent you from experiencing fully?
- Can you identify a recent moment where fear held you back? How could you respond differently next time?
- When have you done something despite fear? How did that make you feel?
- If fear wasn’t in the driver’s seat, what would you pursue today?
S-L-A-Y:
- See fear for what it is—a story, not a sentence.
- Let yourself feel it, but don’t let it lead.
- Act in spite of it.
- You get to reclaim the pen and write a new ending.
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one fear you’re ready to stop believing in today?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s letting fear write their story, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.