#facing fear

What do you do when you see or hear disturbing news, conspiracy theories, or predictions? It can be highly triggering – either due to the content itself, or the motivations of whoever shared it – and it’s all too easy to react negatively, give it more energy, and create a worse situation. You may decide to react harshly and create more division, you may sink further into cynicism and hopelessness, or you may just numb your feelings and move on. It’s all pretty understandable, but is there a more positive or empowered way to respond?

Here’s how I deal with negative info without feeding it, falling for a manipulation tactic, OR sweeping a real issue under the rug:

Step 1:

For now, I let go of trying to know what’s true and just address it regardlessly—though much of what is shared isn’t honest, if a harmful idea or pattern exists in our collective consciousness it’s still real enough to cause damage—especially if it riles people up and causes division.

Furthermore, the facts and opinions that we internalize really matter! We build our whole life on top of our beliefs, true or not. Lies can become real. Misinformation can steer our futures. Don’t get suckered onto a negative path by your emotions and your ego’s desire to validate them! If you want something harmful to be true, ask yourself why—are you seeking truth for the greater good, or are you just trying to validate your own negativity?

Emotions are not an indication of what is true—they are a result and indication of your beliefs, which change often, and can be anything.

Step 2:

I process any trauma or triggers connected to the issue, by relaxing, breathing, bringing in more consciousness, and feeling all of the feelings completely. Find what works for you! You may like to write out all your thoughts and emotions about the situation and burn them.

Once you create a healthy emotional detachment, where you can have compassion for all involved and aren’t triggered, you can access your clarity again. You are not aligned with your full consciousness while upset.

Step 3:

I take a look at the underlying issues within the upsetting situation, at the deepest level of causation I can find. What negative beliefs or patterns are at play? And with brutal self-honestly, I look for my role. There’s always something! Compromised integrity? Toxic consumerism? Lack of inner connection? This specific piece of a societal issue—my piece—is where my power is. It’s not in what anyone else is doing. I find the epiphany and address my beliefs.

Step 4:

I forgive everyone involved—including myself—and move deeper into compassion. I release all attachment to the negative and to the past.

Step 5:

I only take further action if it feels consciously inspired, rather than motivated by negative emotions or ego.

After a deep catharsis and positive shifting of beliefs, know that all relevant behaviour will change organically, and it will inevitably affect others and the world in a positive way. This is extremely important, as change based on external effort doesn’t usually stick, but a deep revelation within changes everything.

Remember integrity. When you want to change the world, always start within yourself—then your home, then your community.

Don’t condemn others before doing your own work.

Don’t let the internet distort your reality or disconnect you from your real life.

Don’t surrender your autonomy by accepting anyone’s negative opinions as your inevitable fate. Send them love, then choose a brighter path.

Be the change you desire, then stay true.

You can’t change what already is, but you can change the underlying patterns that perpetuate everything!

Does it seem like I’m against facing fear, taking risks, or breaking out of your comfort zone? I’m really not—it’s just that I believe in aligned, confident, empowered action—not wonky, fearful action. The more you level up and stop living safe and small—taking bigger risks, channeling more of your power, and with more people watching—the more crucial this becomes! The stakes can be high.

The stress of intentionally creating fearful situations is not good for your body, either. If you feel pressure to do this, I hope you drop it now. Save your adrenals for the fun times!

Be kind to yourself. Choose flow. Face fear and resistance safely and internally with self-honesty and compassion, BEFORE any important actions or decisions are made—with journaling, therapy, bad dance moves, meditation, or whatever works for you. And do an integrity check—fear and resistance is often caused by straying from your values!

Then instead of doing the thing you were afraid of, do what you are most excited about, in the most exciting way possible! That is the most aligned way to get outside of your comfort zone! It allows you to stay in your integrity and power, and will consequently bring you the most positive results possible.

When you’re aligned, fear is not even accessible to you. And what does that tell you? Why ever choose weak and disempowered action?

I take big risks all the time, but it’s not because I’m brave. It’s because I’m integrated and can hear my intuition. In fact, we recently bought a home after only having about an hour to make an offer, in a town we’d never been to before. Despite it being such a huge life decision, I felt no anxiety about it at all. Just a calm knowing—and we couldn’t be happier here!

No matter how big the risks are, when you are aligned, they don’t feel unsafe. They feel perfect. They feel guided. They feel exciting. And like with our new home, I know very deeply that I’m doing exactly the right thing, because my clarity is not shrouded by fear!

If you believe you need fear to grow, don’t worry, when you follow passion and inspiration it still shows up sometimes. You can still learn from it. But it’s not the path! The path is love.