Fear is a powerful force, and we’re all storytellers when it comes to dealing with it. The question isn’t whether you create stories about your fear – you do. The question is: are they serving you or destroying you?

Some people befriend fear, recognizing it as information rather than a stop sign. They tell empowering stories: “This fear means I’m growing,” “Being afraid means this matters to me.” Same sensation, different narrative.

But let’s talk about the destructive stories.

There’s the deflection story: You quit your job, fear kicks in, so you rewrite history. “They were unjust to me.” Suddenly you’re the victim, absolved of examining your own choices.

There’s the hiding story: You go into avoidance mode, building walls. That’s your inner bully chasing you down the street – and paradoxically, hiding from fear becomes more comfortable than facing it. Familiar suffering beats unknown possibility.

There’s the catastrophic story: Fear of change. Fear of the unknown. Fear of losing control. All those “what ifs” that keep you paralyzed while life passes by. Fear becomes a comfort zone itself.

You’ve been doing the best you could with what you knew. But now it’s time to do better.

Truth is the antidote. Not the story you’re telling yourself – the actual facts. Yes, sometimes fear carries legitimate wisdom. That’s good fear. But most of the time we’re running from ghosts.

Here’s your first step: Write down your fear story. Then ask: “What are the actual facts?” Strip away the catastrophizing, the deflection, the hiding.
Usually you’ll find this: You’re more capable than your story admits. The risk is smaller than your fear claims.

What’s on the other side? Freedom. Energy. The chance to use your years doing something that matters instead of managing fear.

You’re not too old. You’re not too late. Those are stories.

Stop running. Turn around. Face fear.

The truth will set you free. But first, you have to stop lying to yourself about your fear.

Thanks – Michael (he, him)

Please share this Daily with your tribes.
This also is important – Fearless and Fear Less.

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