“Riddikulus”: Reflecting on Fear & Courage
“Riddikulus” & Reflecting on Fear & Courage: Lessons from Graham and David At Harry Potter World and a spell to banish fears and why it works. Note: If you are not a fan of Harry Potter, then I’m sorry, but if you want to banish fears…maybe give it a read.
How was May for you? It’s been an interesting and often fearful month for me, but this month brought us Mental Health Awareness Week, which was timely given the state of the world. With anxiety and fear on the rise due to the state of the world and burnout rates said to be at 40% for most, I aimed to bring some lightness, practical tools, and humour through two videos, which I share below. They are designed to help us banish fear and stress and also maintain our power and self-mastery in the face of chaos.
The image above is from the Harry Potter Studio tour London, Facing Fears: The Boggart wardrobe and meeting Dementors. This is another lesson for another day, but it is also based on science.
1. Self-Mastery and Stopping Regret: Use ARC
In this video, I discuss how anchors, Space hoppers and Time-Turners (from Harry Potter) can help you avoid regret and remain empowered. Behind the post-it notes, I go on to explain the ARC method — to stay centred in the face of chaos to help with our mental health. Check it out.
2. “Riddikulus: Reflecting on Fear & Courage: Lessons from Graham and David
Secondly, I wanted to share my reflections while standing in the field with my dog, Dobby and recognise that despite my fears, having humour was critical to meeting Fear.
I reflected on the remarkable courage and spirit of two men I met this month, Graham and David. They sought my advice and help, and I noticed Graham struggling to walk with a stroller; I nearly offered to find him a wheelchair. Then, I realised Graham was the guide. My heart dropped, and I was humbled as he guided his blind partner, David, who was holding onto his shoulder as they made their way around the Harry Potter Studio Tour, which is long and can take up to five hours.
I helped them with their digital guide and gave inside information on the behind-the-scenes secrets of the making of Harry Potter, as I know a lot, given I’m an Harry Potter geek. We laughed. We talked and connected, and I was moved.
Despite their challenges, they exuded joy and humour, demonstrating a resilience that humbled me deeply. Having experienced severe illness and multiple surgeries, where I could barely walk for a month each time, I was awed. Their strength reminded me of the power of facing our fears and evolving with laughter and a smile, which means we keep our fears and stress at a distance. So, I offer this:
The Charm Spell of “Ridiculous”
Inspired by Harry Potter, I offer the spell “Riddikulus” to transform our fears. With this spell, we can banish a Boggart, a shape-shifting creature that takes the form of our worst fear. We can shift our mindset by humorously visualising our fears — like putting roller skates on a spider. From here, we have the power to transmute the fear into something comical and less fearful.
Why It Works:
Stress triggers a high-beta brainwave state, impairing clear thinking. It’s like a car stuck in second gear, unable to perform optimally. It often provokes a short temper, overwhelmed, real sadness, and heavy energy. I’m sure we have all been in that state, and trying to solve problems or do anything is hard and forceful.
However, by inviting lightness and humour, we can shift to a more helpful brainwave state, opening our minds to solutions and helping us move from survival- which is fear-based — to creative or analytical thinking and lighter energy helping us to thrive.
There is more science — I could start discussing befriending your ACC (anterior cingulate cortex), a key brain area Creative Geniuses ignite when solving problems. — But don’t worry — to cut a long story short (too late, I hear you say), it opens when we are in a good mood and then allows us to have that Eureka moment, to solve problems by joining dots. I am sure you have felt it. It’s euphoric, and yes, we can inner-engineer that state by knowing how to navigate the brain and nervous system.
Also, as fear is an energy, the law of thermodynamics tells us that we cannot make energy disappear, but we can transmute it into something else. Laughter allows us to take that heavy, dense energy, and just like ice transmuting into water and then vapour when heated and excited, we turn it into something else. There is more science here, but for now:
Back to fear and Riddikulus:
Three Practical Steps To Banish Fears & Use The Spell:
- Rate Your Fear: Identify your fear level on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Use Somatic Tools: To calm your nervous system, try the physiological sigh — inhale through your nose for two counts, then exhale slowly through your mouth to slow down the heart and stress response.
- Practice “Riddikulus: Visualise your fear humorously and say “Ridikulous.”
For deeper fears or trauma, more personalised approaches are needed. In my one-to-one sessions, I often explore the clients’ specific nervous system type and show them which tools to use to ease their system — namely, the vagus nerve, which fosters resilience and helps release fear and stress safely. Yet, more importantly, we can get to the root of the fear and start to reset it at the clients’ own pace. We don’t want to be like an ice cube and melt too fast into a hot mess.
So, next time you struggle to take a step due to fear, try it:
Riddikulus.
- What is your biggest fear?
- How will you meet your Boggart?
- How easy is it for you to find light within?
If you need help here, please reach out for simple tools or a chat, especially if you feel the energies around you are difficult to banish.
(Yes, I am a Harry Potter fan — and it runs deep … maybe I will share that secret soon :)
I hope you can use these insights when you encounter chaos and, more importantly, create more joy in your life as you fulfil your purpose — we are all here on purpose, for a purpose! I wish you Flow and thrive!
Reach out if any of this resonates or if you want to chat about Harry Potter Wisdom!
With Moonbeams
Nila
P.S. I have changed the names to protect their identity.
