I confront my fears to better overcome them
Today, I am diving deep into my unconscious to discover what (really) scares me. Once I have put words to everything that prevents me from moving forward, I will be prepared to overcome my blockages by facing my fears. Better still, I will be able to transform them into strengths to move forward!
Why try to find out about the unconscious fears that are hidden deep inside me?
The things that block us in life are sometimes linked to unconscious fears. My apprehensions, hesitations and doubts gradually undermine my self-confidence and prevent me from acting. Fear is a natural reaction of my body to danger, but the problem is that my brain can trigger this alert mode anytime, even without an immediate threat.
When faced with the sensation of fear, I can adopt 2 strategies: avoidance or fight. But if I don’t identify the threat that my brain seems to see hovering over me, I have no choice; I can’t fight an invisible enemy. By identifying my fears, I put a name to what is stopping me from moving forward. Are they apprehensions linked to trauma, beliefs connected with what my loved ones tell me, or reactions linked to my own experience?
Using the Tipi method to identify my unconscious fears
The Tipi emotional regulation method is based on the sensory reliving of emotions experienced during a stressful episode. Trained practitioners can coach me to free myself from my fears, find their origin and regain my confidence in a few sessions. The key to this method is to put objective words to fears that are often irrational, to regain control of one’s life and limit the most embarrassing manifestations of fear.
I can already carry out this key exercise of the method to chase away certain negative emotions by myself:
- I welcome the unpleasant emotion felt.
- I close my eyes and identify its physical manifestations.
- I breathe and wait for the symptoms to pass.
- Little by little, I calm down and feel better.
Without contact or loss of consciousness, this method allows you to regain your composure independently in times of anxiety.
What would I be capable of if I wasn’t afraid?
To put a name to what holds me back in my life, I can also list what makes me uncomfortable, what things I refuse to do at all costs, the situations I don’t like to face, etc. I start by identifying the activities or projects that I want to do, but put off by saying to myself “that’s not for me” or “I can’t do it”.
After listing my top 10 fears, I write down the 10 things I could do if I wasn’t afraid. This is my roadmap; I now know which direction to go in. I burn my list of fears and set myself the goal of achieving all those things that I had been denying myself. To give myself confidence and reassurance, I can repeat positive affirmations to myself.
Meditating is also very useful in teaching me to explore my unconscious more serenely and overcoming my fears. I add the iFIT meditation series to my calendar and take them with me wherever I go to practice.
The last step: I act without fear of being afraid again!
Once I have identified and rationalised my fears and set my objectives, I take a new step: I am no longer afraid of being afraid. I accept that I feel emotions, I don’t run away from them. I welcome my fears with serenity because they are part of me. However, they no longer dictate the decisions I make and they can even boost me once I have tamed them. Every opportunity to do something I was previously afraid of is a new challenge. I can check off the 10 actions I had written on my second list one by one! Fear no longer stops me from progressing, it has become my companion on the road. Now, I have confidence in myself.
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