“What if I fall?”
“Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” – Erin Hanson
Nobody likes to be afraid. Maybe aside from scary movie lovers…but in general, being fearful typically has negative connotations. We think about things that go bump in the night, upcoming public speaking engagements, due dates, clowns, etc. And unfortunately, if we allow it, fear of something can be effectively paralyzing.But what if I told you that fear (reimagined) could be a good thing?
Fear is our body’s way of addressing and anticipating the unfamiliar. It’s where our bodies shift
into fight, flight, or freeze mode. It alerts us. More importantly, fear gives us the CHOICE to
choose our next move. And this can be a space for opportunity. Often, the things we fear are
not grounded in reality or rooted the present. Most times, the fear is the anticipation of
something that has not even happened yet and very rarely actually happens in the way we
feared it would.
Fear is an emotion. And emotions are meant to inform us, not control us. Being grounded in the
present moment can give us the strength of mind to examine our fears and take a moment to
decide if they are truly warranted. Being present and curious in the face of fear could reveal
opportunities for advancement, to push past your comfort zone, and discover new ways to
grow that you would not have otherwise been privy to if you had let the fear paralyze you.
For years, I was afraid to start my own business. Even though I come from a family of
entrepreneurs, the idea of running my own company filled me with dread. And so, I stayed in
my corporate comfort zone (uncomfortably) for years, allowing the fear to dictate my actions.
But at the beginning of this year, I examined that fear and realized they were unfounded and
actually rooted in my pervasive fear of failure and issues of self-trust. Once I recognized that, I
made the move to finally start my own business and enroll in Yoga Teacher Training and Hot 26 & 2 Teacher
Training this year at the Bella Prāṇa Wellness Collective. It was the best decision I could have ever made. Now my entrepreneur adventure begins with Misted Roots – Yoga Mat and Surface Cleaner. Available
in the Bella Prāṇa boutique!
Pausing and reflecting in the face of fear is not easy at first. It is a skill, for sure. And skills
require practice. Practices such as yoga, meditation and breathing exercises can help you in
those moments to root down, pause and process the emotion to see it for what it really is,
giving you the opportunity to examine what is fueling it, so a clearer decision can be made.
It is absolutely normal to experience fear, but do not let it control you. Make it into a moment
of strength and find the growth on the other side.
Stay Rooted!
By Torie Johnson, Owner | Creator
Grounded Root Wellness
Misted Roots – Yoga Mat & Surface Cleaner
Groundedrootwellness.com
IG: @groundedrootwellness