Sometimes, it seems like the older we get, the more we learn about how many things there are to be afraid of. Didn’t life feel so much more carefree when you were younger? BUT. Another aspect of growing older is remembering that we have the tools to deal with whatever life throws our way.
In a survey last month, we asked readers just like you to tell us what scares them most. Last week, we learned that failure or not being good enough was the #1 fear, but it wasn’t the only thing on the list. This week, we take a look at your other big fears AND how you deal with them.
It may be naive to think that the road to #success won’t challenge you with some things you fear. And it’s also your job to remind yourself that you CAN deal with it, you can push past what scares you most, and you can stay on your grind.
Here’s how.
Your Health.
From growing older to developing a “catastrophic” illness (can we not use such SCARY words, people?), everyone agrees that the best way to combat fears about your future health is to — yep, you guessed it — take better care of yourself NOW.
For Jami M. that means the usual: exercising and eating right. Romy A. takes it even further: no more alcohol, cigarettes and a dedication to live in the present and not focus on “the unknowable.” Meditating with essential oils is one thing Lisa G. says helps keep her sane, along with weight training and cardio.
This do-it-now approach also helps with fears related to her financial health, Jami says. As unsexy as it sounds, retirement planning is one of those NOW things, too. “Got to have a plan!” she says.
Losing Loved Ones.
Whether it’s a mom, dad, sister, or your children, losing a family member is definitely one of the top topics that’s feared most.
Lindsay B. gives us her solution. It’s a simple one that could address most of the fears on your list. She beats this fear by “living in the present. The here and now. Enjoying my time. Making memories.”
Josie B. echoes this thought, about her fear of missing out on moments in her children’s lives. “To keep from stressing over this, I keep myself present in my children’s lives, making the moments count and living in those moments with them – celebrating their lives and their accomplishments,” she says.
Erin G. confirms this approach, too. “For me, my mother has early on-set Alzheimer’s and that has changed my father’s health as a caretaker, and our families’ priorities,” she says. “We now do whatever we can to see her, spend time with her, and make sure she is comfortable. Losing a parent is scary, and is never an easy thought, but as long as I remind myself to treasure the time we do have together and make time to see them, it helps in knowing they are still here, and stay in the present.”
Protecting Your Children.
Most (if not all) of the parents who told us that keeping their kids safe is a top concern.
Erica C. tells us how she takes a proactive approach to make her kids as safe as possible by empowering them to know what’s good for them. “If I teach them their worth, they will be better able to perceive situations where they may become a victim, or where someone is making them uncomfortable, and remove themselves. I also pray for their safety,” she says.
Job Security. Being in a Rut.
For David B., managing this fear is all about being open to learning more and more: staying aware of trends and developments in the industry. Staying competitive. Kicking ass.
Shannol G. has a fear of captivity that sounds related to this. He says he fights it by continuously working to gain greater freedom, financially but also intellectually, so he can better outwit any situation he finds himself in.
William S. says he takes the fear of job stability he once had and uses it to be a better leader for his team now. “Staying positive as a boss and mentor and being honest with challenges you are facing as an organization helps employees feel empowered,” he says.
Erin G. also uses her past success to help counteract her fear of losing her job. “I have be laid off from a job before, and it was the scariest thing in the world for me. I was able to find a new job, and ended up doing everything I love, but that fear has stuck with me for years. I just have to remind myself that I am good at what I do, I love what I do, and if anything happens to change that, I will be ok. I was fine the last time, and it will be fine [if it happens again]! Stop worrying!”
Thank you, Everyday Experts, for getting real about what scares you and how you deal with it. You can face YOUR fears, too. What scares you? Hit me up at: