Sometimes when you think about writing on a new topic, or in a new format, you might begin to feel afraid. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write it.
Fear doesn’t have to signal “stop.” It can instead be an indication that something thrilling lies in that direction. Feeling some fear when you’re about to embark on a new, exciting adventure is normal and expected.
In Writing for Your Life, Deena Metzger expressed this so eloquently:
“Beginning is difficult. We are afraid of failing. We are afraid we will have nothing to say. We are afraid that what we say will be banal or boring. We are afraid it may endanger us. We are afraid it may be a lie. We are afraid that what we say may be the truth. We are afraid of succeeding. We are afraid that no one will notice. We are afraid someone will learn what we’ve said — and it may be ourselves. We are afraid there will be consequences. We are afraid we will pay attention. We are afraid we will have to change our lives. We are afraid we won’t be able to change. We are most afraid that we will. It is right that we are afraid. If we are fortunate, we will say something, it will be the truth, it will be eloquent, it will have power to it, we will listen, and we will change our lives.”
The next time fear creeps in as you sit down to write, try naming it out loud: “I’m afraid of what could happen if I write this.” That honest acknowledgment is often enough to loosen fear’s grip. Being afraid doesn’t disqualify you from writing. Sometimes it can be proof that you’re finally writing something that matters.
When fear does show up, consider treating it as you do a stop sign when driving. Pause for a moment and look both ways. Then continue in the direction you were going.
