Overcoming Fear: How to Stop Letting It Hold You Back

Lisa ODonovan
Feb 27
3 min read

Fear is something we all face. Whether it’s fear of putting yourself out there, fear of failing, fear of judgment, or even fear of starting something new, we’ve all been there. It’s something I’ve struggled with myself, but here’s the thing—fear is natural. It’s our brain’s way of trying to protect us.

But if you let fear take the wheel, nothing great ever happens. You have to acknowledge it, thank it for showing up, but then take the lead and say, ‘I’ve got this.’

If you’re reading this and thinking, ‘I’m not creative’ or ‘I don’t even know where to start,’ that is fear talking. You need to shhh that voice. You are creative—you just might not know it yet. Trust me, I’ve been there. For years, I ignored that little voice inside me that wanted to create. I told myself I didn’t have time, that I was too old, or that everything had already been done before. But the truth is, that was just fear speaking.

Before we dive into overcoming fear, it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Why Fear Holds Us Back (And Why That’s Okay)

Fear comes from the amygdala, the part of your brain responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response. This is great when we’re facing real threats, like a predator in the wild, but not so great when we’re dealing with non-physical risks like public speaking, sharing our artwork, or starting a new project.

Here’s why fear tends to overreact:

Your Brain Can’t Distinguish Real vs. Perceived DangerThe amygdala doesn’t know the difference between falling off a cliff and starting a creative project. It treats both as equally terrifying, even when they’re not.
Loss AversionHumans fear losses more than we seek gains. The fear of failure often outweighs the excitement of success, making us hesitate before trying something new.
Negativity BiasOur brains focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, which is why fear and self-doubt feel stronger and harder to shake.

Think of fear like an overprotective friend or helicopter parent. It just wants to keep you safe, but it doesn’t know how to differentiate between real dangers (falling off a cliff) and perceived risks (posting your artwork online). So, it constantly yells, “Don’t do that! You might get hurt!” even when you’re perfectly fine.

Step 1: Find What Lights You Up

Fear makes everything feel overwhelming, so let’s start with something fun and low-pressure.

Try this simple exercise:

Go to Pinterest (or another visual platform) and create a new board.
Start scrolling and saving anything that sparks joy, makes you smile, or piques your interest—colorful art, cozy spaces, delicious recipes, inspiring quotes.
Look for patterns—do you notice certain colors, styles, or themes?

This is your inner voice speaking—showing you what excites you when fear isn’t calling the shots.

Step 2: A 5-Minute Challenge

Now that you’ve tuned into what excites you, let’s take it a step further.

Set a timer for five minutes.
Grab a notebook and pen.
Write freely—no censoring!
Jot down whatever comes to mind—ideas, feelings, even your fears.

This practice of journaling has been a game-changer for me. Writing down your thoughts helps quiet fear and create space for creativity. You might even uncover hidden gems—an idea or insight that sparks something new.

How to Work With Fear (Not Against It)

The trick isn’t to get rid of fear—it’s impossible. Instead, recognize it, thank it for trying to protect you, and move forward anyway.

Think of fear like the brakes on a car—they’re necessary for safety, but if you never take your foot off the brake, you’ll never go anywhere.

Fear will always try to hold you back, but the magic happens when you take small, intentional steps forward.

Your Next Step

Spend 5-10 minutes today being creative. Whether it’s writing, sketching, or even just pinning ideas on Pinterest—just start. And let me know in the comments how it goes—I’d love to hear from you!

In my next blog post, we’ll talk about failure as fuel—how a perceived failure once crippled me, how I reframed it, and how it turned into one of my greatest lessons. If you’ve ever been afraid to fail, you won’t want to miss it!

Let’s keep pushing past fear—one small step at a time.

Until next time, love Lisa💛