I have started this blog as a challenge to start facing fears. It is all too easy to let fear silently control my life. I have been a people pleaser since I was a little girl. I thought my acceptance and love came from keeping others happy. Over the years, I was always afraid to stand out, to really speak my mind, or follow my heart-- for fear of displeasing others. My father's opinion was so important to me. I was trying to stay on this perfect daughter pedastal he had placed me on.
I read the book "The Four Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss. He said that, "A person´s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have." That got me thinking how many things I am uncomfortable with. Why were these things uncomfortable for me? I came to realize that I was uncomfortable because I was afraid.
When I took a closer look at my life--from the big decisions of colleges and boyfriends, to the small decisions of what shoes to buy or what to eat for breakfast-- I was being driven by fear.
I have made this commitment to myself--to start getting uncomfortable. I am challenging myself to start identifying things I am uncomfortable with and start doing them.
Two weeks ago I bought my flight from Rome to Rio. My father was completely against me moving to Brazil. He told me bluntly that I was throwing my life away. Deciding to go against my dad's opinion and move to Brazil anyways was very stressful for me. I was full of doubts and fears. What if I can´t trust myself? What if everything goes wrong? What if I´m wrong for wanting to go? What if, what if, what if.
What if questions are the enemy to following your heart and living the life you desire. I had to fight these questions and doubts by asking myself different questions:
What good could come out of this experience?
By taking this risk, what opportunities could I have?
After calming my fears enough to have some peace, I bought the ticket to Brazil. Believe me, I was still completely terrified, but after I bought the flight I felt a new surge of energy. I felt stronger and more open to life. I got an inkling that this new path is come from me. I am actually starting to follow my heart and not let my fear prohibit me from being true to myself.
I am discovering that the more uncomfortable things I face, the more life expands and the less fear is controlling my life.
This is becoming a life revolution, one day at a time, one uncomfortable thing at a time.
What are you avoiding doing because you are uncomfortable or afraid?
