COMICS
What if…?
Fear and what to do about it.
We’ve been sitting around our homes for the last 18 months dreaming of what we will do when the world finally opens up after Covid-19 subsides. Our collective fear brought about by the most tragic event in modern memory, coupled with media that trades in fear, is now part of us—how we think, act, and respond. I still recoil when I realize I get up from the restaurant table and fail to put on my mask to go to the bathroom. As concerned about spreading illness, I fear the judgment I will receive from fellow diners.
Now I am vaccinated and the big fear of catching Covid is over, but the sensation of fear lingers. I realize how much negative emotion became a daily experience. Last Summer was downright terrifying and even last Friday I was freaked to go out to dinner. How are we going to come back to a place where we are not always fearful?
I might not be the best person to advise about fear since my list is long: Heights, Stages, FOMO (fear of missing out), Sharks… I could go on. Fear sometimes keeps me from pursuing fun and challenging things. I want to climb a 14,000-foot peak this summer to see the 360-degree view and feel the accomplishment of a strenuous climb. What if I get hurt? What if I can’t breathe in the thin air? What if I don’t make it? What if…?
One thing I am not afraid of is engaging with my creativity. I relish the impulse to start creating without the fear of failure. I know the process is the real reward, and if something good results from my efforts then it is a bonus. In my work with clients, I help them understand this idea, and they all delight in the act of creating instead of focusing on what could go wrong or how they might be judged.
Here are 5 Steps to use creativity as a way to face fear:
1. Fear is O.K.
We can’t get rid of it, so we have to come to terms with it. Even the most daring will have fear. Instead of shying away from it, the brave person faces it. She gets prepared, meditates, and works up to the big challenge with smaller challenges. Enlisting this process will strengthen your resolve. Walking on stage will feel less scary with preparation, breathing exercises, and visualization. These give you a solid grounding from which to push through trepidation. And when you feel fear anyway, it’s ok. You have support.
2. What are you afraid of?
We know what we want to do (Climb a mountain, Swim with sharks), yet we turn away from the challenge because we don’t want to face the fears associated with it. Write about it, make a list, draw it out. Your creativity gives your worries a tangible form. What are you afraid of, exactly? Being fearful in the dark is a primal reaction to the unknown. Shine a light on your fears and let them show themselves. With some examination, planning, and practice, that monster in the dark may look more like a mouse.
3. Make a plan
Now that you have identified your fear—and it truly is something to be concerned about—create a set of goals that will assuage your dismay. I am facing my dread of climbing a 14-er in Colorado this summer by hiking every day and reading blogs about the best climbs for first-timers. You can prepare to face your fears by making a list of things to do to feel more confident and relaxed. Maybe you need to call in back up. Get a friend to join you or have one on speed dial for times you feel insecure.
4. Remember, you are creative
Nothing is set in stone. Ever. You are influencing the outcome wherever you are interacting. That means you are creative! When things go wrong, and even if you think they have failed, there is always a way out. With a filled reservoir of creativity, you will have ideas that show you the way. Creativity is the primary path for achievement, and thus it is vital to have a creative practice. I espouse the value of a walk in nature, writing in a journal, or taking a fun improv class to keep your mind and body ready to create. The secret is doing one small creative thing a day to prepare you to create a bigger idea later.
5. When fear comes, face it
My fear of sharks is what keeps me from scuba diving. It’s unrealistic — chances are minuscule for getting eaten by a shark—but I can’t help it. Or Can I? Harboring this fear, I tuned into the famed oceanographer and shark activist, @oceanramsey, on Instagram to see what I can learn. I decided to get curious about sharks, and Ocean’s Insta feed is insightful.
“I hope to inspire a shift [of the views about sharks] from fear to fascination.” — Ocean Ramsey
To me, fear itself is a shark: terrifying, many sharp teeth, and a reputation for dramatic hits. What I have learned from Ocean is sharks are like extremely large dogs: lovable, can be territorial, and need to be respected. When encountering a shark, her advice is to sustain eye contact and back away slowly. She adds a part about stretching your hand out to redirect the shark with a firm push on the snout, but I hope I never get that close.
What I find interesting about Ocean’s techniques for encountering sharks is it’s a classic tale for facing all fears. Get informed, be prepared, and look into the eyes of what frightens you. It takes bravery to do this, and the reward is discovering new parts of the world you never knew existed. There is treasure out there, real pieces of gold that will enrich your life beyond your current imagination. Take the first step to reach that big goal by identifying what is holding you back and give it a face, or a fin. Stop saying, “What if,” and start saying “What’s next?”
