During calmer phases of life, parts come forward that we otherwise successfully repress and suppress. Due to the current situation, more and more people are confronted with their inner world and for many, oppressive fears show up.
Why is anxiety also a good thing?
Fears are completely normal and always have an important message for you. Fears are like the warning lights in your car. They indicate that something is not running smoothly and that it is necessary for you to take a look. Your fears want to make you take a closer look and deal with yourself. Which part of you may still become whole? Which parts of you need your attention now?
Why are fears unpleasant then?
Anxieties only become a problem when all your thoughts revolve around this anxiety and there is no room for anything else. Then you feel controlled by your fear and no longer make free decisions. In this case you have relinquished leadership and are running on autopilot, actions, thoughts and decisions are no longer consciously controlled.
And now how do I get out of this?
The most important thing is to accept what is just. Everything we don't want to have and repress becomes even bigger and a lot of energy goes into the repression process. Pretending that everything is fine and not wanting to show weakness will bring you very quickly to your limits. So take space and time for yourself and listen carefully. Which fears are there? Write them all down. Which one is the loudest? Are they perhaps related to each other? Then ask the fears what they are there for? If you don't get an answer from these inner parts, then go over your mind. From a purely logical point of view, what is behind these fears? What could they want from you? What is their good intention? When did they arise, how old were you then? The very exact and to the smallest questioning lets one or the other fear directly disappear. If you question the reasons for the fear logically and unemotionally, you will find out that many of the scenarios have nothing to do with reality, but are a construct of your mind. Fears that persist, based on facts, experiences, etc., need a little more attention. Where do these fears come from? What have they served you for? What have they protected you from? Write this down, too, that alone provides insight and thus relief. Do you still need these fears at the moment? Or are you just emotionally reliving your past and already have the resources to act differently? Often fears have arisen in very early years of life and are triggered again by current circumstances. However, the situation is different and you are now an adult. In the years of growing up you have built up a lot of resilience and resources. How can these help you now? Write them down as well. With all the resources you have become aware of, you are now facing your fears again. Are they still so big? Or can they now become somewhat smaller, because you are a resourceful person who is very creative and can take good care of yourself? So you can now get your strength back piece by piece and see fears as little helpers that show you where you can become more aware of your resources and creativity.
What else can I do besides this inner work?
For very entrenched fears, getting support can be very helpful. Also, it is very relieving to talk about it honestly and openly with other people. We all have fears, some more, some less. It is only important that you talk to people who do not fuel your fears, but that you talk to people who are good for you and who are empathic with you. Listen to your gut. Which people have a calming and heartwarming effect on you? Which people radiate calmness?
Conclusion
Fears are normal, human, and upon closer examination, usually smaller than thought. They bring valuable messages and can thereby also be signposts on the journey to yourself.
