Facing Fears
Posted on | August 22, 2012 | 9 Comments
It’s a noble goal, isn’t it? To do one thing every day that scares you. It’s something to aim for, that’s for sure. But for now, for me, I think just doing one thing that scares you any old time is enough. There’s some truth to the fact that if you aren’t scared you aren’t pushing yourself enough. Certainly a person shouldn’t be in constant fear all the time because that sounds like a terrible life. But some fear, every once and awhile, can be really, really good. There’s something so gratifying about having fear, finding the strength to face it and then coming out on the other side better and stronger. I happen to really like that feeling (that’s why I do things like take trips by myself to Costa Rica). I like testing myself and pushing myself. It lets me constantly learn more about who I am and what my limits are. Or even better, what my limits aren’t.
So I did something that scared me yesterday. Something I had been thinking about doing for a long time. I signed up for a memoir writing class. I know it doesn’t sound all that scary but honestly it terrifies me. The act of reading very personal writing in a small classroom like setting makes me get all nervous and red in the face. The idea of making myself sit down and write about my life honestly makes me a little uncomfortable. And the fact that people will then be commenting on not just what I’m writing about but also my writing style, well that just pushes me over the edge. But that’s the whole point isn’t it? If something scares me I take that as a sign to mean I should probably make myself do it. So I did. And class starts in October.
Now it’s your turn. What scary fear will you tackle in the near future?
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9 Responses to “Facing Fears”
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August 22nd, 2012 @ 1:49 pm
Bold move. You are such a good writer and so observant and thoughtful, I expect your memoir writings will be wonderful. What will be even better is if you can conftont your fear of reading aloud to strangers your personal writings.
August 22nd, 2012 @ 3:53 pm
Good for you! I can tell you that the class will be better than you think and EVERYONE feels the same as you (and that everyone wants to help you… I promise!).
Right now, I have a lot of life changes ahead, and there is a very good chance I could fall completely on my face. And I don’t really have a Plan B. There are so many moving parts in my life and getting the to sync-up is terrifying to me!
August 22nd, 2012 @ 4:51 pm
hMMM I need to conquer my fear of networking. I’m not shy by any means at all. You and i could have hours long conversations about life. But small talk is sooo hard for me. And all these networking events are all about small talk. But i need to do it if i want to get into the marketing field. Kudos to you for signing up for the memoir class, that’s a very gutsy move.
August 22nd, 2012 @ 8:07 pm
Personally, I think you’ve already been writing your memoirs via Old Sweet Song, and there is no doubt that you have a captive, adoring audience to read what you’ve written. But there’s something to be said for facing your fears head on… something I’ve been trying to do for the last week or so. It’s scary, for sure.
August 22nd, 2012 @ 10:05 pm
That is so awesome, Amy!!! This will be such an amazing experience – I can’t wait to hear about it!
August 24th, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
I can’t wait to read whatever you write! You have such a wonderful voice and many, many great stories to tell.
August 24th, 2012 @ 11:30 pm
Your fear *IS* my fear. I’m terrified of reading my own stuff in a class setting and getting feedback. T-E-R-R-I-F-I-E-D.
So, I guess that makes you my hero.
August 24th, 2012 @ 11:36 pm
Thanks for all the support and cheerleading. Sometimes I think this blog is better than therapy. Okay, I think that most of the time.
Stay tuned for more stories about conquering fears a.k.a tales of me turning bright red as my voice shakes while I read aloud in class and feel like a seventh grader again. Hooray? (WHY DID I DO THIS AGAIN?!)
September 17th, 2012 @ 12:41 pm
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