When Fear Takes the Steering Wheel

I shared this story this week on Instagram and felt it was an important reminder to share with you, too…

Have a read if you’re feeling at all fearful about the creative choices you’re making these days. And if you’re looking for support, reach out. 

I have 2 spots open for Coaching Strategy Intensive clients in January (and I’m offering $500 off if you sign up by 12/31!). Maybe one of the spots is yours!?

Last week, in community with my coach Racheal Cook and the CEO Collective, I made some bold, new declarations and decisions for the vision I’m holding for my future. 

This includes acknowledging the identities I’ve held and now want to put down, as well as making room for who I’m allowing myself to become.

(After all, we’re always evolving. The struggle comes in when we don’t allow ourselves to do so!) 

For the first few days after I felt amazing. Embodied and empowered and confident. ‘Yes, this is what I want! And I’m making it happen!’

And then…I started to doubt. I started to shrink and hide. 

I actually didn’t notice it at first. Over the weekend and even yesterday, all I could acknowledge was that I felt ‘off.’

It wasn’t until bedtime last night, cuddled up with my journal, that I recognized what was going on. It’s a pattern I can see so clearly in others who desire to make change (though that doesn’t mean I am always quick to notice it in myself!).

Liz Gilbert talks about this in her book Big Magic. Whenever she decides to take a creative risk, she likens it to a road trip. 

And there’s always one extra passenger: Fear.

Creativity, she says, goes hand in hand with Fear. So when you’re embarking on that creative road trip, Fear is always invited, too. 

But! Here’s the difference: Fear never gets to drive. Fear never gets to set the GPS or even touch the radio. Fear can come along, but it always sits in the back.

Instead of being guided by my wiser, calmer, most authentic self, I had allowed Fear to take the wheel.

Daring to dream a bigger, more meaningful dream –

Whether that’s desiring a better job, one that you enjoy going to each day…

Whether that’s holding a vision for yourself and the impact you want to have in the world…

Whether that’s dreaming of a more calming morning routine!

IS a creative act.

And any time Creativity is invited on the road trip, Fear must come, too.

It doesn’t mean the Fear is bad or wrong. In fact, we can hold this part of us tenderly, with compassion and gratitude, knowing that it’s trying to do its best to keep us safe. 

And we can also ask her to get out of the driver’s seat and into the back.

Where in your life are you taking a creative risk? What changes for you when you acknowledge the Fear you feel, AND keep going on your journey?

Onward,