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What would you do if fear wasn't holding you back?

In the last year, I have been making a ton of changes. Sometimes I feel like I am just letting fear hold me back from doing or being or living up to my true potential. Does anyone else feel this way?

What would you do differently if you were not afraid??


Wed. Jul 12, 11:26am

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Quit my job and go to grad school.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 11:32 AM

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More than fear

We make our life decisions based on more than just fear. However, fear of the unknown is definitely a leading factor.

I would say that I would try more activities - the fear of being overweight and trying new stuff is a big thing that holds me back. You don't see many fat surfers. However, money is an issue there too. But I tell myself that once I reach my goal weight I'll take surfing lessons, or jump out of a plane.

I would be myself more. Be more open with people. Love more freely.

-Star

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 11:38 AM

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quit my job and open a bakery.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 11:44 AM

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I am fearful to lose weight actually so I'd do that. Then make out with all my guy friends who I like and express my feelings for them all. =) haha

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 11:56 AM

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To the 11:32 poster, I actually did quit my job, am raising 2 young children and going to law school part time. I think the reality of it is freaking me out.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 12:26 PM

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I would run a marathon. I have this notion that I just can't do it. I would be at mile 11 and quit.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 1:58 PM

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quit sugar, quit drinking, and make art a profession rather than a hobby

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 2:27 PM

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Swing out on a rope over a refreshing and inviting river and let go at the very top of the arc.....

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 9:48 PM

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quit my job and stay home with my daughter. sad that i don't ever think that could happen...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 9:50 PM

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If I wasn't so scared, I'd...

Pack my car with my clothes and my photographs (irreplaceables), pack a POD or moving van with the rest of my stuff, and drive to visit my aunt in SD and stay as long as I wanted, then to my uncle's in MN, then drop off the irreplaceables in Chicago, head to visit Em in Detroit, my cousins in RI and VA, then back to Chicago to look for a job.

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 2:13 AM

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If I wasn't so scared of living in a cardboard box,
I'd quit my job and work on my artwork fulltime....
I have "fear of success" vs. failure sometimes...
I feel like I'm afraid to do something to completion
because I might actually succeed at it!

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 12:38 PM

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i feel the same way. (to the above)

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 4:01 PM

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i would "drop out" of society and travel all of north america in an rv, visiting local "hot spots", farmer's markets and i would write about it.

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 4:31 PM

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i would sky dive

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 4:50 PM

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I'd start a communal living situation with people I really enjoy being around and create my own family of choice, rather than biology!

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 4:53 PM

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I would dance again

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 9:52 PM

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I'd go out by myself.

To lunch. For drinks. To a museum

I don't know why being out in public alone terrifies me so much.

Friday, July 14, 2006, 1:32 AM

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to the 1:32 poster

i read somewhere that you can attract your ideal group of friends/lovers by going to the places where you would like others to bring you; you do the things that you would like to share with someone special; i have been trying to do this for a while, and am thoroughly enjoying myself. you can rest assured that someone else who's doing what you are, in the same place and time as you are, will likely have something else in common with you. maybe these ideas will help you break away from that fear of going out alone? you are not alone when you get there...

Friday, July 14, 2006, 10:24 AM

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not the 1:32 poster

but the 10:24 post has inspired me to go out by myself this week. I go shopping and to bookstores and libraries by myself all the time. I try not to eat out too often, so I don't feel I have to do that by myself. I think a museum. yes, I think so.

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 3:21 AM

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I used to feel the same way as the 1:32 poster, with fear of going out by mself. When i was younger, i could not even pay for my meals, i would make my yournger sister to it (i was about 12, she was 10 yrs old) since she was braver.
Now, im 26 and over it, i think i was afraid of talking to people and using math in my head (i was terrieift i would never have enough money or woulndt count the rightchange.......
I remember the first time i REALLY went out to have aday to myself. I called my friends and told them about it. They were all excitred and although never understood my fear, since im such an outgoing person and can talk to anyone. Since Day #1 of going out alone, i have been fine with it.
Dont think too much about it, just go to a store you like and think about what you would buy if you had all the money in the world....lol, it gets your mind off the fact your alone. Before you know it- youll be fine ;)
Good lkuck

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 10:32 AM

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I'm 53 and I want to say that all of you have such attainable dreams. I for one totally believe and know from experience that you s/go for what you want especially when you are young!!!! But any age will do. I go out dancing every chane I get-dirty dancing-it's fabulous. I highly recommend it to the dancer dreamer. There are no guarantees that you are going to get one more day on this earth! Just do it! I have travelled all over the world. I even went to Paris for 2 weeks by myself. Was I scared-sure, but when I am alone I tend to speak to other people and make friends. I have jumped out a plane-it's almost as good as s-e-x. Skydiver dreamer-please do it!!! You will never forget it. Believe that there will always be a job for you sometime, somewhere and go ahead and take a sabattical and drive cross country, spend time w/your children, visit your relatives before they pass. This is it girls-your one shot at life-so live it and don't settle to end up living someone else's dreams. Send us some postcards from the road. Face your fears-I have my own demons belive it or not. :-) but I do my best to battle them and win.

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 10:48 AM

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What would I do if fear wasn't holding me back?
File for divorce and be happy on my own. It's part of the 5 year plan though.

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 12:14 PM

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to the 10:48AM poster: I LOVE your take on life! Thanks for so much inspiration!

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 12:16 PM

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Write a Novel

I don't know how but I would love to write short storeis about all of the things that have happened to me that are so outrageous. What am I waiting for? I'm so scared that I might be bad at writing and someone will tell me that this cannot be published, no one will read it, it's not interesting, etc. But now that I typed that, so what? So it might not get published and I might not become the next David Sedaris. At least I wil know I have tried. I'm going to look for writing classes for the fall at a local college!

Saturday, July 15, 2006, 1:11 PM

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Thanks Sat @ 12:16!
glo

Sunday, July 16, 2006, 5:21 PM

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what would you do if fear wasn't holding you back?

I'd hold out for a better paying job. I'm currently unemployed, but have an offer on the table .I quit my job 2 months ago and it is starting to affect my family finances adversely. I get lots of 1st , 2nd and the occasional 3rd interviews but I think the deal breaker is the salary I expect. It is not too much i have check salary.com it is the average for my experience level, education and location. I'm asking for the middle of the pay range.

Monday, July 17, 2006, 1:03 AM

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put my shorts and tank top on and go for a hike. as it is, i'm afraid of how i look in such clothes. i'm waiting until i'm presentable to be comfortable because of fear.

Thursday, August 03, 2006, 12:07 PM

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I would write romance novels and children's books... I've always loved writing and those are my 2 favorite styles to read. I enjoy romance and children brighten up my day!

Friday, August 04, 2006, 1:01 PM

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To those who expressed a desire to write.

I highly recomend a book called "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott

I always longed to write, but was afraid of it being horrible and crappy. After reading the book I realised that every writer writes a horribly crappy 1st draft, the elegance and beauty of the written word comes in the rewriting. No artist, painter sculpter ever snaps their fingers and creates a masterpiece. Great works are lovingly hand crafted by people who have trained themselves daily. Much like how all of us here realise there is no instant fix or magic pill to our weight problems; we know that attaining our goal is through daily dilligence.

I have yet to get anything published, but that doesn't mean I'm not a writer. I am a writer. One day I may get published, but even if that day never comes, it does not stop me from writing something daily, be it with pen and paper in a journal I carry with me everywhere or on my laptop.

If you want to write, write.

It took years to learn how to speak clearly. It takes musicians years of practic to play what we love. Writing is no different. Invest the time, you have the tools right in front of you. Learn about all the details, technicalities of the craft as you go, but to begin... just write... just write.

Link

Friday, August 04, 2006, 3:46 PM

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Sing
Write poetry again


Friday, August 04, 2006, 4:24 PM

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skydive
take up hiking
get diving certified
travel by myself (fear of getting lost)

I have a fear of failing expecially when it comes to studying & taking a test to pass & beome certified for something like diving, personal training, certified coder etc...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006, 11:59 PM

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