Manthagini

Fear often keeps us stuck in a place of comfort, preventing us from stepping outside our safe zones—whether that means crawling under the bed instead of facing the world, avoiding public speaking, or shying away from opportunities we truly deserve. It’s not just introverts who experience fear; extroverts feel it too, though they may hide it better.
Fear holds us down and stops us from reaching new heights in life—whether that’s in our careers, travel, or personal growth. If you feel like you’re doing everything right but not achieving the results you want, it’s worth taking a step back and asking yourself: What am I really afraid of? Even the smallest fears can create blocks that keep us from moving forward.
I’ve been there—afraid of criticism over my writing, worried about making mistakes, and anxious about feeling embarrassed and fear of rejection. All of these fears held me back, both in my life and my career. But here’s the thing: you can overcome them. I did. The key to moving past fear is facing it head-on.
Ask yourself, “Why am I afraid?” Often, the answer is rooted in assumptions and imagination. We fear things that haven’t even happened yet. For example, you might be scared that you’ll fail your exam, that you won’t perform well at a job, or that you’ll mess up during a presentation. But these fears are often based on what could happen, not what will happen.
So, shift your focus. Redirect your energy toward positive thoughts and productive actions. Instead of worrying about a presentation, think about how you’ll prepare, how you’ll practice, and how you’ll stay present during the process.
If the fear feels real, break it down. List out the reasons for your fear and rate them on a scale of 1-10. For example, if you’re afraid of a presentation tomorrow, the fear might look something like this:
• Embarrassment: 6/10
• Giving a wrong answer during Q&A: 5/10
Start by addressing the lower-scoring fears first. If you’re worried about giving the wrong answer, remember that with good preparation and practice, your chances of making a mistake are minimal. And even if you do say something wrong, simply retract, apologize, and correct it. No one expects perfection. If you don’t know the answer, be honest and offer to follow up later. Even if we do make a mistake or feel embarrassed, it’s all part of the process and can be handled with grace. Mistakes are just opportunities to learn, after all.
As for embarrassment—remember that it’s just a feeling. You might feel embarrassed, but others will likely sympathize with you. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s often how we handle them that leaves the biggest impression. To help ease that feeling, talk it out with a trusted colleague or a friend before the event. Take deep breaths before, during, and after the presentation to calm yourself.
The fear that affected me the most was rejection. But over time, I’ve trained myself to approach rejection with a positive mindset. I now see it as an opportunity for something better. I believe everything happens for a reason. When one door closes, another door—or even a window—opens. Rejection isn’t the end, but a redirection toward something more aligned with where I’m meant to go.
Facing fear doesn’t mean it disappears overnight, but with practice, it becomes easier to move past it and keep pushing forward. Fear may never completely vanish, but you can learn to handle it, keep moving forward, and ultimately achieve what you’re capable of.
One simple technique to calm a racing mind filled with fear is deep breathing. Before facing your fear head-on, take a slow, deep breath. Inhale deeply, hold it for a moment, then exhale slowly, focusing on the sensation of the breath moving in and out. By doing this, you’ll notice your body calming down, helping you center yourself and regain control over your thoughts.