The Truth About Fear (And What To Do With It)

Let's talk about fear

Fear wears many masks.

Sometimes it looks like procrastination. Sometimes like self-doubt. Sometimes it's a full-body resistance to opening that email, making that call, or having that conversation you’ve been avoiding for weeks. But at its core? Fear is rarely what it says it is.

So... what is it, really?

Fear is part of being human. It’s hardwired into us — a mechanism built to keep us safe. In some situations, that’s useful. If you’re standing at the edge of a cliff, fear is what pulls you back. If a car is speeding toward you, fear is what gets you out of the way.

But here’s the thing:

Most of us aren’t standing at the edge of a cliff. We’re standing at the edge of a decision.

A career change. A difficult conversation. A boundary we need to set.A life we want to build, but can’t seem to start. And in those moments, fear becomes something else. Not a safety mechanism — but a story.

Fear as Fiction

Fear loves to whisper in half-truths.“What if you fail?” “What will people think?” “You’re not ready.” “This isn’t the right time.”

It’s persuasive. Convincing. Even rational-sounding. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: fear isn’t always rational. It’s protective and often overprotective.

It trades in certainty, not growth.It’s a voice from the past, not a vision of the future. And unless you examine it, fear starts to run the show.

So how do you know if your fear is real?

That’s a powerful question — and one I help clients explore every day at YouAndMeCoach.com.

Here’s the test: Ask yourself what the fear is actually trying to protect you from.

Is it real danger? Or just discomfort? Is it a genuine risk? Or imagined rejection? Is it warning you or is it controlling you?

Most of the time, fear isn’t a wall. It’s a fog. Thick, confusing, disorienting — but when you stop, breathe, and move through it? You realise there was space all along. You just couldn’t see it.

What happens when you step outside it?

When you name fear, it loses power.When you face it, you grow.When you work with a coach, you don’t do it alone.

At YouAndMeCoach.com, this is what I do:I help you unpack fear — gently, honestly, without judgement. We don’t bulldoze through it. We look at it. Understand it. Deconstruct it.And then we ask: what now?

Because beyond fear is freedom. Beyond fear is possibility. Beyond fear... is you, moving forward with clarity and courage.

Tangible Steps to Move Through Fear

1. Name It: Write down exactly what you’re afraid of. Be specific — vagueness keeps fear alive.

2. Challenge It: Is it true? What evidence do you have for (and against) it?

3. Visualise Success: Imagine what happens if it goes well. Give your mind a new script.

4. Start Small: Take one small action that moves you toward the thing you’re avoiding. Build confidence with motion.

5. Don’t Do It Alone: Coaching gives you a mirror, a sounding board, and a strategy — all rooted in purpose and progress.

Final Thoughts

Fear isn’t failure. It’s feedback.It tells you where the edges are. But it doesn’t have to tell you what to do. You’re not broken for feeling it. You’re human.

And if you're ready to stop letting fear make your choices — whether it's at work, at home, or somewhere in between — I’m here to help. Contact me here or email: hello@youandmecoach.com

Let’s work through it. Let’s transform it. Let’s grow — together.

Transform. Thrive. Together.