How To Do Something You Are Afraid Of
Last week, I was interviewed on the news. This is beyond anything I usually do. As a counselor, I usually sit in a room with one or two people. Listening is much more important than talking in that context, so I am not very experienced at sounding poised. I don't think ideas come out of my mouth as smoothly as someone who teaches or speaks regularly.
So this was daunting. I just pictured myself "um"ing and "uh"ing, forgetting what I am saying. I was scared. This was way out of my comfort zone. So why didn't I just avoid it?
Sometimes, when we are faced with something we are afraid of, we decide that we don't want to do it even though sometimes we do want to. We decide that it is not worth getting over our anxiety to do it. Playing it safe seems easier, so we become less interested in doing things we might enjoy. We miss adventures because of our anxiety.
I don't want to limit my activities and adventures by doing this.
So, how do you do something that you are afraid of?
Just don't think about it.
Potentially, there are so many things that we could be afraid of. Losing people, making a fool of yourself, failing, getting hurt, etc. And if we think about the worst case scenario, it might stop us from doing anything. There is always a chance that something bad can happen, but what if we spent our whole day worrying about it.
Some people do. Everyone in the world has varying degrees of potentially bad things that can happen to them. Yet, some people don't spend their days full of anxiety. Do you know why?
They just don't think about it.
This is how I do things I have to do, but I am very afraid. I just don't think about it and keep going. I distract myself. I did the busy tasks that I needed to do to get ready. Then, just took my mind off it until I was ready to go. And then I faced by fear and just did it.
How do you do something that you're afraid of?
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APA Reference
Lobozzo, J.
(2013, April 3). How To Do Something You Are Afraid Of, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 24 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxiety-schmanxiety/2013/04/how-to-do-something-you-are-afraid-of
Author: Jodi Lobozzo Aman, LCSW-R
what do you do if you are afraid to get on a ladder i am afraid of highs
Hi, what do you do if you want to tell somebody something, but you're scared of what the result of you saying may be? Thanks.
Hi Oliver,
Communication is an important part of any relationship. So while you cannot control the other person's reaction to whatever you need to tell them, practicing honesty and vulnerability, tempered with kindness and respect, can help you in difficult conversations. Please see our list of resources and information on relationships for more ways to get help: https://www.healthyplace.com/relationships.
Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer
Blog Moderator
what if you're scared to ask someone something, because it'll be awkward and this person will potentially say no or tell people you ask?
what if you're scared to ask someone something, because it'll be awkward and this person will potentially say no or tell people you ask?
Hi Ari,
This type of decision is one that is particularly difficult! It can be helpful to think in terms of the big picture. How does asking vs. not asking fit into the vision you have for your life? Is it better to ask and risk a "no," or to stay silent and have the outcome automatically be a "no?" On a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the worst, how terrible would it be for you and your life to hear a "no?" And how terrible would it be if this person told others? Just a few things to think about. Good luck! :)
Honestly, I deal with that a lot too. The fear never entirely goes away, but I found if I give myself a bit of time to mentally prepare for what I want to ask, it makes it a little easier.
I'm looking for some help getting thru a spinal tap. Can't find anything on the web. I'm nervous speaking in public. I am terrified of getting a needle jammed into my spine. I must be the only one. Maybe there is a lesson in the fact that nobody else is worried enough to search the web. Maybe they know something I don't.
I do not know why this technique worked for me in college but it did. When I had to do a presentation, I would pretend I was an actor. I was well prepared and went about it as a role I was playing.
Hi jody your saying do not think about the axiety? I thought is the opposite of what you do because it only feeds and makes the anxiety worse! The only way to get rid of it is to a accept and let go of anxiety.
Correct if I am wrong lets say for example fear of interacting with people when it comes to conversation. Thoughts are: mind goes blank, can't follow a conversation, don't know what to say exc.
then all or some of I happens and I feel worthless sad ot of reality angry u name it I feel it !
So therefore ur saying when those things enter my mine . Achnoldge the thoughts but do not think about them? What do I think about? I am just confused about the whole concept of accept añd letting go then? I thought that is and the only is to get rid of anxiety?Can I just not think about and ignore those other things ? Just confusing ? Christopher
Ps u probably remember me not to long ago when I ask u a post the. Differance between letting go and acceptance? Maybe I am missing the point?
Christopher, I am a bit confused by what you are asking. Read the post again and ask me specifically one question at a time.
We all go through that and facing fears almost always mean choosing between something we will forever regret or be thankful for. In the end, we are sure that so many things are best conquered.