Learning to Overcome Fear: Starting a Business

Photo by: Dominique Ashley

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

-Walt Disney

Learning how to overcome fear has been one of my greatest challenges as a twenty-something year old millennial living in America. My biggest dream has been to get my photography business off the ground, and each day I say, "Today's the day!" But before that "day" begins, I see nothing but failure! And like so many of us, I quickly retreat and dream of someday seeing it through.
One day I told myself that the only way I can fail is by never trying. But each day I come up with an excuse that prevents me from starting.

Maybe you can you relate to one of these?

 "It's too hard"

 "I'll try again tomorrow"

 "What if no one likes what I am doing...?

 "Is this really what I should be doing?"

"This will never work..."

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The way I see it is how can you expect people to believe in you if you cannot believe in yourself? I know I'm a darn good photographer, because I believe in my talent that God has given me. I just don't believe I can be successful doing it. So how am I overcoming it you ask? By constantly shooting and posting to my social media. I may not be very popular on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook but I am constantly posting content because one day a piece of my art will inspire someone. Your friends in real life and your friends on the Internet are great support systems to help you keep going. I never was worried about becoming well known, all I ever wanted was to make a difference through my work. Never forget why you started your business in the first place, that is our mission statement! Our words that navigate us through the turmoil of hard work and dedication. It is OK to stop and rest so long as you do not give up on your dream! 

When times get tough for me I follow three rules: Unplug, Walk in nature, and Travel

Unplug - When my brain becomes overwhelmed with too much clutter of self-doubt and noise I unplug. Unplugging is the best way to get away from social media and to get away from the anxiety of competition. I know we all want to be just like those that we idolize, but wishing to be like someone derails us from finding our true path. Stay focused!

Walk in nature- Walks in nature can help clear your mind, and rejuvenate your spirit. When was the last time you sat in nature and heard nothing but the birds chirping and the trees whisper in the breeze? Nature can also bring back your creativity in cases where there are creative blocks.

Travel- I know that when life gets a bit crazy from the same routine, here in my house we like to switch it up. For us we like to pack our bags for mini Disney getaways! Disney always takes away my self-doubt and I leave more inspired than I did arriving! Find your place of bliss if you are able to travel and see what it does for you!

My way of de-stressing isn't the same for everyone, but if you are having a creative block hopefully the rules I follow can help you as well! I would love to hear how you re-inspire yourself to keep going in the comments below! 

Internal Struggles; a call to growth.

I try my absolute hardest to keep my internal struggles to myself, but I am human, I am going to crumble, fall, and make mistakes. Not everyone is perfect and need not to show the imperfect side of them. The most beautiful thing anyone can do is to show all sides as to who they are. And this is my side, I do not want to look at myself at the moment as this bride who's living through rose gold glass. Sometimes, life gets difficult and we feel as though we are losing a part of who we are as time goes on. We feel as though our youthful years have slipped us by and we hold onto this hard bitterness that makes us look older than what we truly are.

With two dogs, a traveling fiance, and a slight demand on my dream job, my current job is the only thing that is alleviating a portion of the stress that I give myself on a day-to-day basis (but of course I can stress myself out at this job too). I have come to realize it is your mindset, and controlling my mind has been something I have been trying to calm down since I turned twenty-three.

Back in the year twenty-thirteen my Aunt took me to my very first yoga class. It was the worst experience of my life. My mind raced, I was going through a post-traumatic stage in my life, I wanted to run away from anywhere that felt unfamiliar, and all I wanted to do was to lay in my bed and watch TV. I felt safe there, but my Dad forced me to go with her and immediately I regretted it. Keeping my mind calm during the session drove me mad, I couldn't focus on calming down. My fight or flight mode kept going off like a false alarm which didn't help with this serene experience. I felt exhausted and slightly defeated. I enjoyed the company there afterwards, but little did I know that with each tiny moment of going outside started my process of healing.

My Aunt Nicole moved to Colorado in the following months and gifted me with yoga classes to take on my own. I had no choice but to go, but this time on my own. I immediately regretted not enjoying the first class with the company. I knew this was a personal effort on my part, but I had to take the first step. So, on a Saturday morning I went to my first class alone, and I loved it. I focused on staying present and living in the moment and to really allow myself to breathe. My anxiety lessened in the months to follow, and that tiny false alarm in my mind silenced itself.

Yoga truly is the key to healing, and with so many things going on in my life I need to get back to my practice. Each day is a new stepping stone to learning how to function in this world. I have so many dreams, and so does Justin. Together I believe that practicing yoga together will be that gateway into learning so much more about each other that words cannot describe, only with what can be felt with emotions. ~ *

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others." ~ Peace Pilgrim

-This is me, and this is my journey into finding peace within myself-