Fear stalks us whether we pursue our dreams or hide from them. The difference? One path pairs fear with possibility, growth, and joy. The other serves it with a side of shame and regret. When framed this way, the choice becomes clear—if we're going to feel afraid either way, we might as well do the thing that lights us up.

The science is unambiguous. Dr. David Burns, renowned psychiatrist, identifies fear avoidance as one of the most common cognitive distortions fueling anxiety and procrastination. Rather than protecting us, avoiding uncomfortable emotions actually reinforces them. Each time we back away from sharing our art or launching that project, we train our brain that creativity equals danger, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that keeps us small.

What's fascinating is how this modern psychological understanding aligns perfectly with ancient wisdom from spiritual traditions worldwide. In yogic philosophy, the discomfort of transformation is called "tapas"—the necessary heat of growth. Buddhist teachings invite us to offer hospitality to our fears rather than wage war against them. Christian mysticism frames fear as the labor pain before divine birth. These diverse paths converge on a singular truth: fear isn't the enemy—it's the threshold guardian at the doorway to something sacred.

The caterpillar dissolves into complete goo before emerging as a butterfly—a messy, vulnerable state that's not an error but an essential phase of transformation. Our creative evolution demands similar periods of dissolution and uncertainty. When we misinterpret these feelings as warning signs rather than growth signals, we interrupt our natural metamorphosis just when the magic is about to happen.

Ready to transform your relationship with fear? Try these practical approaches: Name the feeling without becoming it ("I notice anxiety" rather than "I am anxious"). Question what you're making the discomfort mean about you. Bring fear along for the ride instead of waiting for it to disappear. Remember your deeper why. And perhaps most importantly, recognize when current creative fears are actually echoes of old wounds that no longer deserve power over your present expression.

Your creative voice matters. Book a free consultation at shannonnoelcoaching.com and discover how to navigate fear while staying true to your vision. Because in the end, wouldn't you rather feel fear while moving toward joy than feel fear while remaining stuck in the waiting room of your own life?

P.S. Every day I am helping my clients create INTENTIONAL CHOICES. Helping them see the power in those choices every day.

If you are ready to unleash your brilliance and shine your light unapologetically, I would love to be your coach! Click HERE to get on my FREE consultation calendar.

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www.shannonnoelcoaching.com