What fear has held you back the most in your life?

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.

Roman Peremyshlin (Aldaine)

Fear of not being good enough, and fear of geographically coming from a place where success (in traditional terms) is less likely to happen because you’ve been removed from the industry for most of your life. Read more >>>

Charlie T Savage

The fear that has held me back the most in life has been the fear of failure, so much so that for years I wouldn’t even start certain projects or chase opportunities because I was terrified of falling short. Read more >>>

Natali Ormani

The fear that’s held me back the most in my life is the fear of not being enough. Not smart enough, not talented enough, not lovable enough. I could see others stepping into their power, creating the lives they dreamed of, and it worked for them but for me? Somehow, I always felt like it wouldn’t. Read more >>>

Danely Segoviano

Being noticed has always been an intimidating experience for me. When you are noticed, it puts you in the line of fire and something bad could happen as a consequence. So, for the longest time, I tried very hard to not be noticed. Read more >>>

Emily Hooks

I want to say that every fear I have that has held me back can probably be linked to and be classified somewhere under the umbrella of the fear of being Seen. It feels exposed. It feels raw. It feels like jumping without a safety net. Read more >>>

Zach Waldman

The fear that held me back the most was stage fright. People always think anxiety is some mysterious psychological demon, but honestly, for me it was just bad life choices in disguise. If you live on pizza at 2 a.m., skip sleep, and think “exercise” is carrying groceries from the car, your body’s basically going to manufacture panic for you. Read more >>>

Syante

The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of being judged. Growing up, I often made choices based on what I thought others expected of me—whether it was society, family friends, or the people around me. I worried that if I didn’t follow their path, I wouldn’t be loved or accepted. That mindset carried into my artistry too. Read more >>>

Ell Burgos

Fear is something we deal with constantly, and it’s a practice not to fear. This society doesn’t teach you anything else but that. Learning how to balance being optimistic and rational about your life decisions can be tricky, but it’s essential to keep yourself happy and trusting the process. Read more >>>