Last night in my therapy group, some people wrote down their fears, as well as ways to let go of fear.
I fear that I did not take a picture of all I wrote in that group session. However, here are some of all the fears I listed:
- Mistakes that are irrevocable.
- Losing out on something I want.
- Malice.
- Death (mine and other people’s).
- Heights.
- Abuse.
- Stupid or mean people in positions of power.
- The cold.
- The dark.
- Bad doctors.
- Misunderstandings.
- Illness.
- Pain.
- Shame.
- Rage.
- Ticks.
- Car accidents.
- The news.
The sum of all the fears I wrote down last night was much larger than that.
Here are some of my ways to reduce fear:
- Take a deep breath.
- Name the fear.
- Self care.
- Ask for help.
- Take a small step forward.
- Connect with supportive people.
- Be in the here and now.
- Acceptance.
- Nature.
- Healthy food.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Tea.
- Humor.
- Cats.
- Music.
While I didn’t take pictures of anything I wrote in last night’s therapy group, never fear! I did take the sum of all these photos yesterday:
What might be some of your fears and ways to reduce fear?
I fear I forgot to include something important in my second list, above.
Gratitude.
My gratitude to all who helped me create the sum of this post and — of course! — to YOU.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
I think naming our fears is huge. So often we avoid facing it. Naming it gives us that starting edge, that place where we can start to address it, face it, own it.
I agree, Colleen. I would now like to name how awesome you are.
You are a wonderful namer. š
once you name the enemy, you are half way to your win. p.s. love your title
P.P.S. Love your comment, Beth.
Once I had to spend the night alone in the downstairs den of an uncle who was an outdoorsman. He had animal furs and a mounted deer head on the wall which made it a frightening place for me at night. And then as I lay there trying to go to sleep–with a light on, since I was afraid of the dark–the deer head turned to me and said, “Hey, how’s it going?”
I realized I could disarm my fears by laughing at them.
The some of all my fears is :”Love is greater than fear. Always. And laughing at my fears helps.” So does choosing to ignore them! š
I would never ignore your comments, Louise, because I LOVE them.
My only fear for now, to see my country would change!!!! I mean regime and turn to a kind of dictatory!
What helps me of course love, love of my grandson, son, daughter, my love and yes, our Princess, our cat! But dear Ann when I think of them all (I mean my family) the fear comes back again… soon there will be a referandum, and we will see, what the reality is!
Thank you, maybe I come from out of the subject always… sorry for this.
Have a nice weekend, Love, nia
No need to apologize, Nia. I am honored and grateful for your comment. Love, Ann
Thank you dear Ann, you are so nice, Love, nia
It reminds me of FDR’s statement: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Or, the saying: “Fear knocked on the door, Courage answered, and there was no one there.” Laughter and cats always help.
I’m so glad whenever you knock on my door. ā¤
I fear that in the future all TV will be “reality” shows. I also fear that people will get frustrated with me when I respond to serious topics with silly comments.
Let go of that second fear, now!
I get a panic attacks easily so paying attention to my breathing is how I face fears!
That’s one of the best and most effective ways to face fears. Thanks for paying attention to my blog!
My fears are heights and dogs. A big dog jumped on me when I was little and ever since then I have been afraid of them. I try to beat this fear, but it’s hard.
It’s very hard to beat the fears we’ve felt since we’ve been little. I appreciate the effort and the courage it takes to try.
Life is full of fears, the thing we need to do is learn to accept those fears and not let them take control of us and still enjoy life
I always enjoy your comments, Joanne.
I am fortunate in my fear, because it is of heights, and, after doing my best to vanquish it, I have decided just not to go there. I don’t have to climb a mountain. My good fortune is that it doesn’t affect my daily life.
I fear that I missed this comment from last spring, Derrick.
I love this perspective on fear, Ann.
Never fear, Ann is here. š
Never fear, Ann is here, even if it’s six months later.
Fear is a big fat liar.
I laugh at my fears, and that helps a bunch.
Fear is a big fat liar. Thanks for relieving some of my fears with your courageous comment.
thank you for this!
Thank you!
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