Feel the fear and do it anyway - or not?

Fear isn’t your enemy - it’s a messenger. But should you always push through fear, or is there a better way? Discover a new perspective on fear, decision-making, and living fully.

For years, this was my mantra. And now I realize: it’s just not true.

There’s a crucial nuance that I overlooked for a long time.

I recently listened to a podcast with Elizabeth Gilbert – and I’m a huge fan of hers. Especially her book Big Magic, which has been a major source of inspiration for me. She said something I already knew deep down, but sometimes, you need someone else to say it in a way that truly lands and connects the dots you hadn't seen before:

Fear has a purpose. Fear wants to protect you.

So, the question isn’t whether you feel fear. The real question is: is this fear serving you?

If I feel afraid of open water and realize there’s a strong undercurrent, I listen to my fear and stay out. That’s not about doing it anyway, that’s just common sense.

But when I felt a deep longing—like driving across Africa in an old Land Rover—and fear crept in? That was a different kind of fear. My desire for the adventure was far greater than my fear of the unknown. That’s when I knew: this was a fear I needed to push through.

Looking back, I can connect the dots and reflect on what I’ve learned from making that choice. But at the time, I simply felt it. I knew I had to do it. I wanted to live fully.

Feel the fear. Listen to what it’s telling you. Understand it and make a conscious choice.

Fear is allowed to exist—but you decide whether it gets to take the wheel.

Fear is not your enemy. Fear is a messenger.

So no, Feel the fear and do it anyway isn’t the ultimate truth.

But what is?