'Fear is only as deep as the mind allows' - Japanese Proverb
Society puts so much emphasis on success that it prevents many of us from going after our dreams; from going after what makes us happy, what put shivers down our spines, and butterflies in our stomachs. The need to succeed is so fundamental in our minds that it’s terrifying for many of us to try at all.
I don’t let the fear of failure stop me from trying anymore. I take risks. Some may call it crazy because I get hurt more than the average person, but I find it liberating. I don’t have to live with that dull, constant pain of not knowing. I don’t have to live with the what ifs.
I dedicate my free time to my wildest dreams, even when I know the chances of success are slim. I don’t hesitate to put myself out there anymore, even when I know I’ll be made fun of because people are all too often expected to hide the intensity of their own minds. I also fight for my relationships until there is not an ounce of hope left. I risk my heart, hoping that it will pay off and if it doesn’t, then I know I did my part. There’s no remorse. Regrets, maybe, sometimes, but regrets fade. Regrets are a sharp pain, but temporary if you keep moving. Remorse, on the other hand, slowly chips away at you with the daily self questioning of what could have been or what would have happened if I had tried? If I’m unsure whether to go for something or not, I have to ask myself, “would I have done it if I wasn’t afraid of failure?”. I can guarantee you 9 times out of 10, the answer is yes and more times than not, the only thing stopping you from trying is the fear of failure.
Ive realised life is too short to be played safe, to not risk your heart out, to not chase your dreams, and to not tell the people you love how much they mean to you because you’re afraid of scaring them off with your big feelings. Life is too short to not submit your application because you’re afraid you’re not good enough, to not give that boy your phone number because fear is telling you he’ll laugh at you or say no.
You don’t get anything in life without taking risks. Believe me, the pain you’ll feel if your expectations aren’t met is nothing compared to the dark, immutable remorse of pain from not even trying.
So please, don't let the fear of failure stop you from trying.
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