I would say much of my youth and the success of my younger days was attributed to either acting before having the chance to fear, or stepping out in the face of it.

Fear rules every aspect of how we view our world, from how we step outside our doors every morning, how we avoid having conversations we know need to be had, or leaving scenarios that we don’t want to be in.

It’s often said that fear is the same emotion as excitement. It’s a negative lens on the itch to stepping into something different, embracing change. And to be honest, I often feel that avoiding fear only creates more of it. So here are a few things I’ve picked up on how to step-the-eff-into-fear and jump:

Address it

You don’t know what you’re fearing unless you get to the root of what it is. Maybe you’re afraid to leave a job you’re not a fan of, or to message someone who you really care about but haven’t heard from in awhile. Before you start swinging wildly, get clear on what you’re actually afraid of. The anxiety-spiral is all too common (read: afraid of leaving a job and doing your own biz because you’re going to go broke and end up eating hot dogs on the street. Not a bad option, but you will always find a way out).

Address the fear through journaling, chatting with trusted friends, or just…meditating on it and letting it go.

Make a plan

I find that I drive myself less crazy when I set up a timeline. Give yourself ample time that makes you feel comfortable and confident, before making any rash decisions. It’s okay to not know everything at once. Little by little, as you chip away, you’ll start to be less intimidated about the job at hand.

Stop thinking so much.

I recently read (errr listened to) Mel Robbins’ – Five Second Rule. While ironically the book was 7 hours long (and narrated by the very animated Mel Robbins), this really reminded me to stop hesitating, and start doing. Launch yourself like a rocket ship when it comes to hesitation, and squash all of the resistance and reason to why-not.

Get support (yeah, seriously)

I vent. Oops. What are friends for – they’re welcome to do the same. Getting support whether it’s finding an online community or finding friends and mentors that have gone through the same, having a tribe is so important. Avoid isolation – that’s not the way to go.

Images by Saunak Shah, from Pursuit of Portraits

Worry about what you can control.

I received this advice years ago when I was having an anxiety spiral. You have to worry about the factors of things that you can control, not the “what ifs” or the creative negative things your mind is churning out. You are the energy you project (rather woo woo of a statement). If you’re constantly worried, you’re really suffering twice. And who wants that when you could be basking in good energy?!

Shoo fear, don’t bother me.