Fear is something we all carry, though it shows up differently for each of us. It can keep us safe, but it can also hold us back from opportunities, relationships, and growth. We asked some brilliant members of the community to share the one fear that has shaped their choices the most—and their answers reveal just how universal, yet deeply personal, our struggles with fear really are.
Brandon Hensgens
Oh man, the fear that held me back is such a common one: the fear of what people think of me and the fear of being different. For most of my life, I felt like an outlier. In high school, even the theater kids made fun of me. Read more>>
Ms. TERRY NORWOOD
Having the ability to operate a business with a goal of cause over cash is daring. At times, I fear that I have the ability to manage how I think people will thrive. I feel passionately about my intention and know I am capable. Yet fear looms. Doing something different is scary. It is what builds your confidence and power though. Read more>>
Shiloh Reed
Oh I feel like I could count so many haha but I think the mot profound which applies today is the fear of what others might think. As a people pleaser myself, so much of my fear was driven out of my own thoughts about how someone else might perceive my choices or the work I am doing. Read more>>
Carole Degnan
I have been a fearful person for as long as I can remember and I truly don’t know where that comes from. I have fought to overcome it all my life and not until I was in my 60’s did I realize that I had power over it. Read more>>
Jana
The fear of public speaking has held me back the most. It stems partly from being a shy person by nature, but also from a deeper anxiety about being misunderstood—especially in cross-cultural contexts. Growing up in Poland and then relocating to the U.S., I’ve often worried about how my words, my identity, or even my accent might be received. Read more>>
Birdies in The Outfield
The fear that has held us back most in life is the fear society installs in you as a child—the fear of being different, of standing out. From an early age, we’re often taught to blend in, to follow the crowd, and to conform to expectations. Read more>>
