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.

Jake Dean Taylor

The fear that held me back the most in my life was the idea that I couldn’t be successful and queer. There have been several opportunities over the years that I either didn’t pursue, or phoned in because I didn’t think I was worthy of it. I’ve since unpacked that fear and am proud to say that it no longer holds power over me. Read more>> 

Lucas Aaron

The fear that’s held me back the most has been worrying about what others think, especially when it comes to sharing art. There’s a bit of a paradox with art, its value comes from the act of creating, but once it’s out in the world, it is then judged or assigned value by others. Over time, I’ve shifted how I think about that. Read more>> 

Chrystal

The fear that’s held me back the most in life wasn’t failure, it was actually a fear of success. Yes, you heard that right. I know it sounds counterintuitive, so let me explain: Looking back, I used to hit my “upper limit” a lot, which is the point where you subconsciously start to self-sabotage because things are going too well. Read more>> 

Timothy Michael Blewitt

Interestingly, the fear that’s held me back the most in my life is the fear of looking foolish. Somewhere along the way, I ‘learned’ that mistakes equal humiliation, and that being wrong means being ridiculed. As a kid, I often felt I was teased for expressing myself, and that conditioning has always kind of stuck with me. Read more>> 

Monica Halligan

My biggest fear and struggle is imposter syndrome. I have always had some struggles with imposter syndrome, sometimes to the point of not completeing my work. I work hard and have worked hard at perfecting my craft, but somehow I can convince myself that I have not and that I do not belong. Read more>>