The Myth of Fearlessness: Embracing Fear for Growth

I don’t want to be fearless.

Regardless of what the influencers, wanna-be influencers, and gurus may say, and man, do they love saying it.

They espouse how they’ve become fearless, that life is incredible, and that we can do it too — they don’t say “how” you have to pay for that.

The idea of being fearless is asinine.

It sounds like a worthwhile goal, but it’s not achievable — hence, it is a terrible goal.

Unless you have Urbach-Wieth disease (a rare condition in which the patient does not feel fear), fear will always be present in our lives.

Studies have shown even psychopaths feel fear — they just don’t see the danger.

Besides, depending on the kind of fear we’re talking about, specific fears can be healthy, keeping us safe and out of danger.

So, I’m tired of the empty platitudes extolling the virtues of the impossible to cultivate likes and engagement.

Don’t tell me you’re fearless; I’ll think you’re full of sh!t.

Tell me how, in the face of overwhelming fear, with your stomach in knots and your knees shaking, you moved boldly toward your fear — and most importantly, through your fear.