Fear is something we all carry, though it shows up differently for each of us. It can keep us safe, but it can also hold us back from opportunities, relationships, and growth. We asked some brilliant members of the community to share the one fear that has shaped their choices the most—and their answers reveal just how universal, yet deeply personal, our struggles with fear really are.
Theresa Cunningham
Setting aside serious topics for a second, here’s something about me: At just 4’10’ tall, a fear of heights has followed me my whole life—which is why skydiving has never, ever been on my bucket list. Read more>>
Deondra Thornton
My biggest fear has always been failing. As a child, I always strived for perfect grades and would actually cry when I did not make an A on an assignment. I always knew that people expected me to be great and I was constantly reminded of my potential by others. Read more>>
Carley Rangen
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of not being enough—not wanted, not accepted, not worthy of what I have to offer. For a long time, that fear showed up as people-pleasing. I used my ability to observe and read situations to adjust myself to what I thought others wanted, instead of trusting my own voice. Read more>>
Tessie Herrasti
The opinion of others. That’s the fear that lingers for me. It terrifies me how people with harmful intentions, or even just careless words can wound, distort, or destroy. I’ve always been wary of social media for that reason: it holds the power to connect, yes, but also the power to harm in ways many people never stop to consider. Read more>>
Felipe Amaya
I guess my biggest fear used to be failure. There was a time when I would hesitate to take chances or pass up great opportunities just because I was too focused on what could go wrong. I’d get caught up in the idea of a negative outcome and completely overlook the possibility of a positive one. Read more>>
