Spring Cleaning the Mind: What to do When Fear Tries to Stop You

Overview

As part of the Spring Cleaning the Mind theme, Dr. Danielle Colborn and Dr. Maria-Christina Stewart explore a common experience that arises when we try to make meaningful changes: fear. Even when we move toward something positive, fear and self-doubt can appear.

The hosts share their own experience of questioning whether their previous episode was “good enough,” highlighting how easily our minds can create negative narratives that aren’t grounded in reality.

Key Takeaways

1. Fear often appears at the edge of growth. It doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path.
2. Don’t automatically believe your thoughts. Thoughts are mental events, not necessarily facts.
3. Pause and gather data. Check whether your fears are actually supported by reality.
4. Avoid avoidance. Facing fears in small steps helps reduce them over time.
5. Don’t let perfectionism stop progress. Focus on “good enough” rather than perfect.

Reflection

Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this fear?” try asking:

“How can I move forward wisely, even while fear is here?”