How Fear Became an Unexpected Guide on My Creative Journey
I can still vividly recall the most recent time fear threatened to completely derail my dreams. I was preparing to relaunch my website, something I had been working on for months, and suddenly, doubt came crashing down like a tidal wave. My inner critic, fueled by fear, whispered insidious doubts – “What if no one signs up?” "What if you're not good enough?" “What if you fail?” Every fiber of my being wanted to retreat, to abandon the entire project and crawl back into the comfort of what felt familiar.
That moment was a stark reminder of how deeply fear can grip us, how it can masquerade as a means of protection while simultaneously stifling our growth and potential. This experience served as a reminder for me of why I started (i)VL to begin with. My belief that creativity can be a catalyst for change. I realized my work was not just about providing services but empowering individuals to confront their fears and step into their creative power.
Fear is a universal human experience. We’ve all encountered it in various forms – fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of judgment. While it might manifest differently for each of us, its impact can be pervasive, often holding us back from pursuing our passions and living into fulfillment.
So how do we move from a place of fear to a space of empowered action? Here are a few things I've been practicing lately:
Acknowledge and befriend your fear: Rather than suppressing or ignoring fear, create space for it. What is it trying to tell you? Often, fear arises from a place of vulnerability or a desire to protect ourselves. Once we understand its root, we can begin to work with it more constructively.
My current way of befriending fear is to give it a name and offer it space in my fanny pack. If you know me, you know I carry my fanny at all times! And if you're interested, Bruno's the name (story for another time 😉)
Bruno Madrigal from Encanto
Reframe fear as an invitation to grow: What if, instead of viewing fear as an obstacle, we saw it as an invitation to step outside our comfort zones and embrace new possibilities? Each time we face our fears and take action alongside them, we expand our capacity for growth and transformation.
For me, this looks like thanking Bruno for showing up, giving him a little space (in my fanny pack), and proceeding onward in the best way I can.
Talk about fear: One thing about fear? It wants us to trust it (and the feelings it creates) blindly! Fear does not want us to look deeper or to question it AT ALL. Fear says, “Just know that I got you.” And while in many situations, it does, this is certainly not always the case. What might it look like to talk about fear? To ourselves? To our loved ones? In our organizations? Normalizing fear in this way can disarm it and invite it to respect our boundaries while opening us up to a multitude of opportunities.
I know one thing: In this household (aka my body) we DEFINITELY talk about Bruno!
Transforming our relationship with fear requires a shift from a mindset of scarcity and limitation to one of abundance and possibility. It requires that we commit ourselves to living towards fulfillment. This extends beyond our personhood into the communities we inhabit, the organizations we are a part of, and beyond. Here are a few more tangible practices to guide your journey:
Engage in Daily Creative Practices: Even dedicating a few minutes each day to engage in activities that bring you joy – whether it’s writing, dancing, painting, or simply daydreaming – can help quiet the inner critic and unlock new pathways of possibility.
Seek Out Connection and Community: Remember, liberation does not happen in isolation. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you. Sharing your fears and vulnerabilities with trusted friends, family members, or a therapist can provide invaluable support and perspective.
Practice Mindfulness and Body Awareness: Try focusing all of your attention on one activity–like brushing your teeth. Notice everything about this task from the way you hold your toothbrush to the way the bristles feel against your teeth. Notice what sensations arise in your body as you mindfully engage in the activity. By tuning into our bodies through practices like meditation or mindful movement, we become more attuned to our inner wisdom and can eventually start to align our behaviors with what feels fulfilling, no matter how uncomfortable.
And speaking of tangible practices, as we continue to explore our relationship with fear and its impact on our creative journeys, I invite you to explore these resources:
The Mended Readers: Join (in)Visible Legacy's free virtual community where creatives can come together, hold space, dream, and just be–as we read books! We’ll be launching our first Mended Readers session late Fall 2024!
Books: “What it Takes to Heal” by Prentis Hemphill (p.s. This will be the first book the Mended Readers explore together!), “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, "Pleasure Activism" by adrienne maree brown.
Quotes: “You are what you practice, and you are always practicing something" – Richard Strozzi-Heckler; “Fear is the primary force upholding structures of domination. It promotes the desire for separation, the desire not to be known. When we are taught that safety lies always with sameness, then difference, of any kind, will appear as a threat.” – bell hooks
Wookbooks and Journals: Check out {re}set, a Black, Queer owned small business that has curated a collection of thoughtfully designed tools to support your journey of self-exploration; developed by a licensed therapist!
Remember, transformation is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the messy, imperfect process, and trust that by showing up authentically and engaging with your creativity, you have the power to create ripples of change that extend far beyond yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect with me. I'd love to hear from you! How has fear shaped your creative journey, and what practices have helped you navigate alongside it? Liberation doesn't happen in isolation, so let’s get this transformation together! Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments below, and let's continue this conversation together.
