OK,straight up,
countless times have I been held down by the fear of the unknown.Growing up in Nigeria,a place where your everyday companion is uncertainty.And countless times I have had to face those fears head on,and I believe that as much as it is also a personal battle, universally wise,it is relatable.
First time this weight came,I was a child,about 9years of age and my parents had just told me that we would be moving to a new city,a new place/environment entirely, thought at first I was excited, but as the reality of leaving behind everything I knew began to dawn on me."What would this new place be like,"would I make friends,"the new school",will my friends miss my absence "?were all questions that filled my small brain and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping into the unknown.
Growing older, tthis fear only grew also,this unknown is not just a concept,it is more of a living entity that had been a part of me,always there with me,the fear/uncertainty of whether I would get into university,the fear of not being able to find a job after graduation,the anxiety of not knowing what the future held.And sincerely with each passing day, the weight of this fear grow,even now as I write, I seem to feel its physical presence that I couldn't shake off.
Not until lately that I began to realize that this fear was not unique to me,eeryone around me seemed to have their own version of it.My friends were afraid of not being able to find love,my parents were afraid of not being able to provide for their children,my colleagues were afraid of not being able to advance in their careers,my neighbors were afraid of being chased out by the landlord since their rent is due,It was as if we were all wandering through a thick forest,not sure of what lies ahead and fearing what might be lurking in there in the shadows.
Even despite the generality of this fear,I still feel like I was alone in my struggles,more like I was the only one drowning in it(fear).But upon looking around me again,I see that that was not the case,everyone is struggling,everyone is afraid,everyone is trying to find their way through it.
I realized that this(fear of the unknown)is not something to be ashamed of,it cannot be hidden or denied,cos one way or the other we are all in it, so its something to be accepted,acknowledged and confronted,the truth is that the unknown is a part of life,a part of learning, growing and a part of our becoming all we are to be.
So,how do I face/confront this fear,how do I confront the unknown and win?Well to me,its about taking little but consistent steps into that unknown,being brave enough to take the step even when I'm not sure what lies ahead,trusting that I have the strength to go through or maneuver through whatever comes my way and that everyone around me is struggling with their own fears and uncertainties.
T1he fear of the unknown is and has been a constant companion and also is and has been a stimulant for growth.It pushed me to be brave,to learn,to take risks and even to trust in myself.Still moving on into the unknown,I know that I'll continue to face this fear,and I will face them all head-on,with the knowledge and constant reminder that I am not alone and that together we can overcome anything.
There are various entries organized by @leogrowth.
This post is in collaboration with the @emotionsfeelings community and an entry to day 18 of #decemberinleo in #inleo,I am inviting you to also check it out,so as to partake in various interesting writing prompts.
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Well said!
Stepping and doing it still makes all the difference
Exactly.
Thanks a lot for this🥰
You're welcome