Since I was little, I was always worried. In third grade, my mom even had me start a “worry journal,” filled with concerns like not seeing my teacher at recess or missing schoolwork when I joined the honors program in elementary school. Before bed, my mom or dad would sit with me while I thanked a higher power for keeping away tornadoes, burglars, and house fires. As I've grown up, I’ve thankfully conquered many of these fears, but new ones continue to creep in.
For a long time, I tried to avoid the things that scared me, hoping my worries would bury themselves deep down. But I’ve learned that hiding from my fears doesn’t make them disappear; it only makes them resurface bigger and stronger the next time I face them.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned recently, through many obstacles and growth opportunities, is the importance of doing things scared.
A small example of this was starting this LinkedIn blog series. While I’m not afraid to voice my opinion in person, the thought of broadcasting it on social media to hundreds of people felt intimidating. I worried about how people would perceive me and whether I could really be authentic in such a public space. But I also knew I wanted to bring the same authenticity and truth I value in real life into my writing.
So, I’ve faced the fear—and, honestly, I’m still facing it. Each time, I’m learning to set aside the “what ifs” and let authenticity lead. I still have a long way to go in conquering my fears, but doing things that scare me has already opened up new possibilities and opportunities. I've come to see that fear is just a threshold to growth, and stepping past it can lead to unexpected and meaningful change.