Sue Robson || Life Coach & Spiritual Practitioner

You know that story. You are going about your day, feeling good, in the middle of whatever and SMACK, the feeling is back. You thought you said goodbye to it months ago. It surprises you and it takes a moment for you to regroup.

What do you do when an old fear pops up again into your thinking and thus you may even feel it viscerally? Not only that, but do you start cutting yourself down for experiencing that same fear again?

Pause and say hello. It is trying to get your attention and let you know about something. Say, “Hello fear of… (fill in the blank) what seems to be my need right now? What are you wanting me to know about myself?” Take a breath and listen. You may find by acknowledging that the fear is there, taking a few breaths, and pausing, it softens the fear. It is when we don’t acknowledge the fear and push it away that it makes it come back stronger. It is truly wanting you to know something.

Don’t feel down, defeated, or as if you have failed if an old fear pops up that you thought you had healed and got over it. Life is like a spiral upward. Some things are revisited again but from a new perspective, point of view, or a new vantage point after some time has passed and you are in a new season of your life.

What are some of the possible reasons that an old fear might be trying to get your attention?

• Have you been working extra hard lately?
• Have you not been speaking up for yourself?
• How are your sleep habits?
• Are you getting enough water and proper food?
• What has your caffeine intake been lately?
• Are you getting enough down time just for yourself?
• Are you stressed about a job, relationship, or a health need?

For any of the above, have you been ignoring any signs or appropriate self-care?

This isn’t an all-inclusive list of questions, but it is something to think about when old fears come back. It is easy to get out of balance and stretched too thin. It is easy to forget to do the things that helped heal ourselves of the fear earlier.

Your triggers could be different but none the less, you can ask the fear what is it that needs your attention. Then sit with that, take a breath, and allow it to share. You could even get a piece of paper and a pen or pencil out and write down the question and allow your hand to be the guide. See what comes out on the paper. This type of journaling is fabulous for revealing what we need to know. Our inner Self will tell us. You can even say, “Ah… it’s you. How can I help you?” And just like a child that needed attention, our inner child will quiet down when it knows it is being listened to and that its needs will be cared for.

Final note for now. There can be times when the thoughts and fears we have seem so big and the feelings are so immense, we need someone else to walk us through the moment. Reach out to someone you trust and who can remind you of the tools you can use and that you are okay even during these big waves of fear. 💕