Facing My Fear — And My Plan to Tackle It

Each time the thought of my biggest fear for the future comes to mind, it usually makes me feel down, even when it's not related to death, poverty, or failure. What I fear the most about the future is me not becoming all that I'm meant to be. It worries me a lot that what if I wake up one day and look back only to realize I left too much of my potential untapped, or that I was so caught up in my fight for survival to the point where I forgot how to live? This thought has been haunting me for years, and that's why I don't take it lightly.

With time I've realized there's a need to fix this and have overtime identified ways to address this fear. Basically, I came up with some practical steps that'll guide me towards the life I'm certain I'm capable of living, and the key points I'm working on are as slated below:

Staying grounded in purpose: one of the most important things I've come to realize is that living without purpose makes me feel like the day is slipping through my fingers, be it in my work as a teacher or creating something valuable, writing, and the like. My desire is that my life won't be all about existing but will become meaningful, and that has led to me asking myself a simple question daily, which is, what can I do today that aligns with the kind of future I want? With that, I tend to stay grounded and focused on the path I ought to go.

Building systems, and not just dreams: In the past I made a lot of mistakes, one of which was having tons of beautiful dreams without a blueprint behind them. Over time I've learned to construct a system that stimulates success, such as schedules, savings plans, routines, backup plans, and several others, which all go on to aid and support my vision, especially in times when motivation fades. The reality of life is that even though passion tends to light the fire, it's structure that'll keep it burning.

Saying yes to growth, even when it's uncomfortable: If you've experienced setbacks and success, one of the takeaways you can attest to is that growth doesn't come from staying in our comfort zones, and that's why I've become intentional about pushing myself in every ramification, be it putting in more work even when I'm unsure, learning new skills, or even confronting habits that slow me down head-on. I've seen that my fear is loud, and that's why I'm making sure my desire is louder by reminding myself that fear, in a way, is more like a sign that I'm walking towards something bigger.

Surrounding myself with the right people: The power of a healthy environment can never be overstated, and that's why I, for one, often surround myself with people who inspire me, challenge me, believe in me, and remind me of who I am when I forget. These people exist in different capacities, such as mentors, community support, or even just honest friend interactions. One of the reasons why I'm particular about who I have around me is because I know such people will either fuel my future or drain it.

Taking action, no matter how small: One of the reasons why I haven't gone beyond where I am presently is because in the past I usually waited for the perfect time before I took action. I don't want to be a victim of that again, so I've become intentional about acting. Even if all I can do is very small, it's better than doing nothing. I've come to learn that progress is progress, no matter how small, so that's why I'm consistent with my efforts regardless of how little the results may seem. Just like the common saying, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

I'm still being shaken by the fear of unfulfilled potential, but rather than let it get my back back in the ground, instead I'm using it as fuel to push me forward, not as a chain to hold me down to a spot. I'm pleased with the fact that I'm moving even though I haven't figured things out, but I'm certain I'm on the right path, and who knows, maybe that's just enough.

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All photos are mine.

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