Fear is Just a Feeling—Take the First Step Anyway

I want to share a story that shaped who I am and how I view fear, ambition, and chasing my dreams. When I was 17 years old, I graduated from high school and went off to the University of Georgia. I had been an excellent student—National Honor Society, Beta Club, all of it. But when I got to college, something felt off. It wasn’t the academics—I could handle that—but I didn’t feel like I fit in with my peers. My roommates had their moms decorating their rooms and sending them care packages while my incredible single mom was working three jobs just to keep us afloat. I felt so out of place.

Despite doing well in my classes, I left after a year. The decision weighed heavily on me, but I always told myself I’d go back. Yet, as time passed, fear grew stronger. The longer you wait to chase your dreams, the bigger that fear becomes. Can anyone relate?

One of my favorite quotes says, “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” But that’s exactly what I was doing—I had benched myself out of fear.

Fast forward through three kids and more than a decade later, I finally made the decision to go back to school. I was terrified. The process was overwhelming. They wanted me to take a college entrance exam because it had been so long since I had taken the SATs. The fear of failing that test and being placed in remedial classes was real.

But you know what I did? I took it one day at a time. Even if it was just five minutes between taking care of my kids and working, I studied a little each day. And on the day of the exam, I was a nervous wreck. But I kept repeating positive affirmations: “I can do this. I will ace this exam.” And guess what? I got the highest score in math! I was shocked. I thought there must have been a mistake.

Fear is Just a Mental Block

Here’s the lesson: fear is often the only thing holding us back. Science backs this up. Studies in neuroscience show that fear is processed in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotional responses. Fear is a survival instinct, but when we let it control us, it stops us from growing.

Dr. Susan Jeffers, in her book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, explains that fear will never fully go away—it’s just part of the journey. The key is learning to move forward despite it.

How to Overcome Fear and Take Action

I don’t just want to tell my story—I want to give you practical tools to start taking action right now.

1. Journaling Exercise: Confront Your Fear

Take a moment and write down one fear that is stopping you from chasing your dream. Is it fear of failure? Fear of judgment? Fear of success? (Yes, that’s a real thing!)

Ask yourself: Where did this fear come from? Was it something you were told growing up? Was it shaped by past experiences? Getting to the root of your fear helps you take away its power.

Now, write three affirmations to counteract that fear. For example, if you fear failure, write: “I am capable of learning. Failure is a part of growth. I am resilient.”

2. Visualization: See Yourself Succeed

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine yourself achieving your dream. What does it look like? What are you wearing? Who is with you? How do you feel?

Studies in sports psychology show that athletes who visualize success perform better. The same principle applies to life—when you repeatedly see yourself succeeding, your brain starts believing it’s possible.

3. Daily Affirmations: Rewire Your Mindset

Use affirmations daily to rewire your mindset. Write them down, say them out loud, and own them. Science shows that positive self-talk reduces stress and boosts confidence. My favorite daily affirmation is: “I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.” What’s yours?

4. Action Plan: Take One Small Step

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take one small step today. When I decided to go back to school, my first step was ordering a study guide. That tiny action led to the next step, and eventually, I was sitting in that exam room, facing my fear head-on.

Write down: What is one small step you can take today toward your dream? It could be sending an email, researching a course, or reaching out to a mentor.

Final Thoughts: Fear is Part of the Journey

Fear is always going to be there, but it doesn’t have to control you. You’ve already taken the time to confront it, visualize success, affirm your strength, and plan your first step. You are already on your way.

I’d love to hear from you—what’s one fear you’re working to overcome, and what’s your next step? Drop a comment below, and let’s support each other on this journey!

Remember: You can do anything you set your mind to. Now, go out there and make your dreams a reality. 💫

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt