How do you overcome fear to do something enjoyable?

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Dayvan

Member
I really, really want to use my bike to go for a ride, but I live in a pretty active neighborhood off of a main road, so the places I would be biking, there will be people walking, biking and driving by. If I ever do anything outside, I usually do it at night, for that reason, but I'd love to be able to hop onto my bike and go for a spin during the day. I can barely go outside to get the mail, and CERTAINLY not if a neighbor is outside as well.

I hate this. How do you overcome your fear when it comes to doing something you really want to do?
 
coyote

coyote

Well-known member
try to concentrate on the activity itself

and not on the thoughts going on in your mind
 
Ryguy2598

Ryguy2598

Well-known member
Just do it. Once you do, you'll realize you can do it and not have to worry so much about it..........Riding your bike around your neighborhood? C'mon what's there to worry about? You don't even have to talk to anyone....people will just see you. Who cares.
 
kihira

kihira

1
Choose your time and place - I like riding in the mornings on the weekend - wear a helmet and sunglasses for a disguise, use that desire to do it as a motivator, start off small and slowly expand.
 
Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
And remember that nobody actually cares about you more than anyone else - they are just doing their things as you should be doing yours, so they are not paying attention to you as you think they are.
 
Deus_Ex_Lemur

Deus_Ex_Lemur

Well-known member
From recent experience... DOING it is key. DO the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain. But gotta KEEP doing it. It's not easy - it took me 2-3 years to finally, FINALLY do what I was afraid of this last week; filming with a lot of other ppl outside of school.

START SMALL... progress. Slowly but surely, or quicker if you feel you're doing well. Sometimes being shoved in the pool is the best medicine, but usually not. Last semester, that's how I started with this class, to build up to what I did this last week. The fear isn't vanquished for me, but it's on its way, long as I keep doing more/not turning to fear and avoiding.

So as simple the notion to just do it is, it's so true. It's just so hard to get to doing it. =) Focus on task, not the thoughts as Coyote says. Don't worry about others, most aren't concerned or care.
 
NickyNacker

NickyNacker

Well-known member
positive thoughts. there's a lyric to one of my favorite songs that i love and i repeat in my head.. "people are just people. they shouldn't make you nervous." it helps. and telling yourself other things similar to that. it's all in your head. no one cares that you're riding your bike.
 
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Dayvan

Member
Thank you for the suggestions! I sometimes have to drill it into my head that people don't care what I'm doing. I just feel exposed the second I walk outside when it's daylight. Good to know other people have struggled and overcome, even if you have to start small.
 
kidsmoke

kidsmoke

Member
it'll probably be better being an active neighbourhood.. you won't seem odd being the only person out biking, the people there are probably accustomed to seeing people riding by and won't take much notice of you. just try it :)
 
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