Did you know that Fear LOVES a good hug? Fear can be a STINKER and the idea of hugging your fear seems off-the-charts weird… but it works! I know, from personal experience, how powerful the results can be when we learn to show our fear some love, so I created a guided visualization to help you EMBRACE your little (or big) Stinker and transform it into a Sweetheart. We all know that a good hug can make us feel AMAZING… so give it a try.
Hug Your Fear
A Guided Visualization to help you transform Fear into your Friend.
When was the last time that you gave your fear a great big hug?
Most of the time, fear is an uninvited guest who we try to ignore and shove out the door, or stuff in a backpack and hide it at the back of the closet. Let’s face it, we are busy. We are strong and we don’t have time to let fear get in our way. We have things to do. That was me. A tough as nails survivor who had been slamming the closet door in Fear’s face… for years! Heck, when it mysteriously showed up, I’d tell it I saw it and walk through it like it didn’t exist. I learned the hard way that, when it has been silenced for long enough, it gets loud enough so that it can’t be ignored anymore.
It might be as simple as feeling tired, like you need a mental break and some distraction. Maybe it’s a little procrastination or avoidance. Perhaps moments of dread, nervousness, restless energy or a racing heart. I was such a master of ‘pushing through the fear’, I pushed myself right into debilitating anxiety attacks and a leave of absence. As I was trying to clean up the fear-laden disaster that had become my life, an amazing woman gave me a piece of advice that saved me and changed my relationship with fear forever.
Initially, I thought it was odd and, honestly, a little scary, but it turned out to be so powerful, I want to share it with you. “Love your fear.” You may be asking how on Earth do you do that? Here is a guided visualization you can try.
Find a quiet place, get comfy, relax by taking in a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Invite fear to come and join you. Just let it show up the way it needs to (it’s different for everyone). Notice the size, colour and movements. It may appear like an animal or have human characteristics… or it may be none of those. It might feel hostile, but it may surprise you that it is docile or fearful. Remember, no matter what feelings might be coming up for you, you are safe.
Talk to your Fear. Start by telling it how much you love it. Let it know that you see it and that you know it is here to keep you safe and you know that it has been protecting you because it loves you so much. Don’t censor what you say… let it all flow and talk from your heart.
Observe: Is it communicating with you? Does it change in any way? If it was large and dark, is it becoming smaller and lighter? If it was threatening, is it softening and relaxing? (When I have guided others through this, they often told me that it started out huge, but as they spoke to it, it did shrink.)
Keep sharing whatever pops into your mind and when you feel comfortable, invite it to come to you for a hug. It might need some convincing, but don’t stop. As soon as it is in your arms, really embrace it. Hold it close, comfort it, tell Fear how much you care about it and how important it is to you.Feel your love pouring into Fear and surrounding both of you.
Let your hearts connect. This can be incredibly powerful and emotional, and you may feel a release of emotions along with tears, (I cried like a baby), and that’s OK! In fact, it’s beautiful! When you feel ready, let your Fear know that YOU are going to take care of both of you now. You appreciate everything that it has done to keep you safe, but you are strong enough to take over. Your Fear may need some convincing but know that you ARE ready to be in charge again.
Gently release your Fear, let it know it is always welcome to be with you and you are always there to give it a hug… whenever it needs one. How do you feel? After the first time I did this, I felt such massive relief. I had the first stirrings of peace, hope and the belief that I could take care of myself. That I could heal. Fear still ran around like a small child frantically trying to avoid any disasters, but over time, and with many, many more conversations and hugs, I stopped feeling like I had to chase after it. Many of us believe Fear should be avoided or shunned because it is unworthy or, even worse, unlovable.
In my experience, Fear loves us so much that it does everything it can to make sure we are safe, especially when we feel overwhelmed and not in control. By learning how to love my Fear, I was learning how to love myself… ugly bits included. Now, I still have days or moments when my little Fear tries to run wild, but they are becoming less frequent. In fact, Fear has changed, matured, softened, and is now (most days) one of my biggest cheerleaders.
And to think that it all started with a hug.
Hug Your Fear
A Guided Visualization to help you transform Fear into your Friend.
About Rodine Isfeld
Rodine Isfeld is a teacher and Internationally published intuitive artist who uses her intuition to capture the majesty and mystery of the Northern Lights. Rodine is a co-author of an International Best Seller, “Women Standing Strong Together Vol. 2” where she chronicled her journey with depression and severe anxiety and her re-discovery of joy through art. She believes that, by learning to love the parts of ourselves that we think are ‘unlovable’ we create a gorgeous space for Divine creativity. When she is not creating magic and messes in her studio, you will find her avoiding housework by puttering with biz work or enjoying time with her grandsons. She is also a lover of bonfires, plaid shirts and coffee!
Hug Your Fear
A Guided Visualization to help you transform Fear into your Friend.