Have you ever felt terrified for no apparent reason? You’re not alone.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, fear is described as, “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Though fear’s technical definition paints the feeling as one that should only be felt when there is a serious threat, it is extremely common to feel uncertain or fearful when there is a shift in your daily routine, before major life change, or even for no reason at all. Even in our modern world, it can be difficult to disconnect from our natural tendency to fall into fight or flight mode.
To help you better understand this tough emotion, business coach, fashion designer, and blogger Christine Daal has developed a few handy tools. Keep reading to discover how you can take charge of your own life, overcome fear and truly come to know what it means to be a warrior!
Fight Your Thoughts With Words
According to Daal, thoughts and feelings lead to action, which in turn, yields results. So essentially, thoughts are at the core of progress. She explains that we cannot fight thoughts with thoughts, but instead, must fight thoughts with powerful words. Even when you feel like you are not enough, audibly telling yourself, “I am a strong, intelligent woman who can achieve anything I set my mind to,” can make a difference! Though you may not be able to fully shut down negative thinking, you can refuse to entertain such thoughts. Above all, remembering that you are in control is key.
Stay in The Present
When you are in fear of something, you will probably find yourself thinking, “remember when…” and “what if…” Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, try to keep your thoughts focused on the present moment. The best way to do this is to take a few minutes to sit with your feet firmly planted on the ground, and breathe deeply and rhythmically. Once you have connected to the present, simply acknowledge any negative feelings or thoughts that arise without reacting to them. Decide to fill your mind with positive affirmations, and you will be amazed by how much better you feel!
Stop Worrying About The Opinions of Others
We all concern ourselves with what other people think of us, even though we know that we shouldn’t. After all, in most cases, those that we are convinced have negative things to say about us do not actually have a problem with us at all! On the off chance that someone is in fact bothered by you, worrying about their opinion gives them power. The last thing you want to do is fuel their fires. At the end of the day, people who are rude to you are likely struggling with issues of their own, so there is no reason to concern yourself with their judgements.
Move Towards Your Fear
I know, I know, this sounds counterproductive. But like Franklin D. Rosevelt said in 1933, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” For this reason, Daal suggests facing your fears head on. She explains that fear is the only thing that gets smaller as you get closer to it, and that the more action you take, the smaller it will become. For example, if you’ve always wanted to start your own business but are scared of how risky it may be, every step that brings you closer to having a functioning business will ease your mind. Most things are not nearly as daunting as they seem from afar.
So You Want to Be a Warrior?
Daal urges her clients to channel the characteristics of a warrior because making it in the fashion industry is no easy feat. She notes that warriors have a strong sense of commitment, and they stick to a vision they have carved out for themselves. While it is easy to become inspired and develop a vision, commitment, or doing what you promised yourself you would do even after the feeling of inspiration has left you, is harder to maintain. That is where being a warrior comes into play. To help you find your inner warrior, Daal developed 12 characteristics that you can embrace yourself.
A warrior always:
- Conquers oneself first
- Expects nothing but is prepared for anything
- Says what is necessary and nothing more
- Gives honor, even where honor is not due
- Has self approval and does not need the approval of others
- Is willing to put someone else’s interests before their own
- Can discipline their disappointments
- Has no retreat attitude
- Lives by their vision and a sense of commitment
- Goes through the finish line and not just to the finish line
- Gives 110% all of the time, every time, in every area of their life
- Does what they must, whatever it takes
Christine Daal Bio
Daal is a FIT graduate who obtained her Fashion Design degree in 2005. Within her first few years working in the fashion industry, she became the head designer at Flip Dresses, and later in her career, she worked as the vice president of design & merchandising at Lai Apparel. She also started her own fashion label before developing her coaching company, Fashion Angel Warrior.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out Christine Daal’s business mentorship program, Fashion Angel Warrior! Also, follow her on Instagram @fashionangelwarrior.
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With love,
Erica
Written by Erica Fouts
