Fear to Freedom: Transforming Your Vision into Reality

Posted on August 14, 2024 by SUSANNE BLOHM, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Fear is a natural companion on the journey to realizing your dreams. It manifests in many forms—whether as fear of dreaming, judgment, disappointment, change, or responsibility—and each can be a significant barrier to manifesting your vision. But what if you could transform fear into a source of strength and clarity? What if fear could become a guide rather than a hindrance?
In the following article, I will use my own stories to illustrate tools to use when creating a vision for your life while feeling fear.

The Fear of Wanting More

When we dare to dream of something more, we often encounter a mix of emotions—sadness, guilt, and fear. The sadness stems from what we currently lack, which can make us avoid dreaming altogether. Guilt whispers that wanting more means we’re ungrateful for what we already have. And then there’s fear, the fear that setting a goal might end in disappointment or in the loss of what we currently enjoy in our lives. This fear of failure can be so paralyzing that we stop dreaming entirely.
I experienced this fear firsthand when my husband, Allen, and I began our journey in network marketing. At the time, our youngest child was 13, and our oldest was 22. I was 45, and when I sat down to write my first set of goals, I was overwhelmed with unexpected emotions. I found myself raging and in tears, realizing that I hadn’t set a meaningful goal in years.
I had checked off the boxes for a dream job, a great marriage, wonderful kids, and living in an area with all four seasons. But I had achieved these things long ago, and hadn’t set any new goals since. The thought struck me as such a waste of time, and that realization fueled my anger. Then came the tears—because deep down, I knew there were still many things I wanted but didn’t have. I felt guilty for wanting more, but even more powerful was the sadness that I didn’t yet have those things and believed I never would.
I stormed out of the room, throwing down my pen and paper, unable to continue setting goals in that state of mind.
It took me a few days to return to that goal-setting sheet. I needed time to process my emotions and remind myself of all the good things I already had in my life. Yes, money wasn’t great; no, we didn’t have the time together that we wanted; no, we weren’t traveling as much as I wished. But Allen and I were close, the kids were doing well, and we laughed a lot. We spent the time we did have together playing games, watching movies, or cooking as a family.
This realization helped me see that I was starting from a solid foundation. I could reach for more without fear because, at the end of the day, I was already happy. Even if I didn’t achieve all my new goals, I knew I would still have this foundation of love and joy to fall back on.
Keeping this foundation in mind wasn’t easy at first. I had to remind myself that I was good enough almost every time I looked at my goal list. I adopted the mindset of being “grateful, but never satisfied,” as Kathleen Cameron says. Over time, remembering my foundation became easier, and eventually, it became second nature.

The Fear of Judgment

As we take steps toward our dreams, we often worry about what others will think—whether they’ll judge our vision, our actions, or even us as individuals. This fear of judgment can make us want to hide both ourselves and our dreams from the world.
I experienced this fear firsthand, especially when my dreams were new and felt fragile, like a lamb being led to slaughter. I was cautious about who I shared them with, seeking out only those I was almost certain would support me. For the most part, they did. But if someone didn’t, I simply stopped discussing my goals with them. At that early stage, I knew I needed to shield my dreams—and myself—from negative opinions.
Over time, I grew more aware of my own worth and the worthiness of my dreams. This shift came from prioritizing my dreams in my mind and life, regardless of what others were doing, thinking, or saying. I often reminded myself of a question my mother used to ask: “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” It was clear even from childhood that we all have different dreams and goals. So why was I suddenly worried that mine were different?
A powerful lesson I’ve recently learned perfectly encapsulates how my mindset shifted back then: It is none of my business what you think of me. Let that sink in. What a freeing statement! When I reflected on my past, I realized that the people whose opinions I had worried about the most were not the ones who were there when it really mattered—daily money worries, dealing with car breakdowns, navigating divorce, disciplining my children, or cleaning my house. The people who were active in my life, those who genuinely supported me, were the ones I was already close to.
So why was I letting the opinions of others—people from work, moms at daycare drop-off, more distant family—change my course or stall my progress? These were not active parts of my life, yet I had given them power over my decisions. That realization was the turning point. I decided then that I was done worrying about judgment.
Looking back, I can see how crucial it was to have a supportive community around me, even if it was small. The people I chose to share my dreams with were my anchors, offering encouragement when I needed it most. Their support helped me build the confidence to prioritize my dreams, despite the noise from the outside world. This community, no matter how small, was essential in helping me move past the fear of judgment and embrace my path with confidence.

The Fear of Disappointment

The fear of disappointment is a common companion on the path to realizing our vision. As we hold onto our dreams each day, we also carry the possibility of being let down if they don’t manifest. This ongoing fear can make the journey feel burdensome and heavy.
But here’s the truth: manifestation is happening all day, every moment. What we consistently hold on the screen of our mind will eventually take form in our everyday life. If our lives seem to stay the same day after day, it’s because we’re continually seeing the same results in our mind—whether it’s our job, bank account balance, or partner—and creating the same old thoughts about them. These thoughts lead to the same old feelings and actions, which then produce the same results. But this cycle can be broken, and you’ve done it before. Think back to a time when you really wanted something—a job, a partner, a house, or a car—and it worked out. What did you do during that time? You likely held the image and the positive emotions of having it in your mind and body, even if your current situation wasn’t ideal.
We have the incredible ability to hold our dream, and the emotions associated with it, in our minds while going about our daily routines. How do I know this? Consider those times when you’ve driven to work but can’t remember the journey itself. This same power allows us to keep our vision alive in our minds while we continue to operate in the present moment. For example, when I’m doing the dishes, I can imagine that I’m doing them in my new ten-million-dollar home. Or perhaps I’m even on a beach in my mind. The power of our imagination is limitless.
Why does this matter? The more we hold our dream on the screen of our mind, the more we begin to feel from that place, make decisions from that place, and ultimately quantum leap our manifestation into reality. By consistently aligning our thoughts and emotions with our vision, we reduce the fear of disappointment and increase our ability to bring our dreams to life.

The Fear of Confusion: Is This My Intuition, or Just Fear?

How often do we find ourselves wondering if we should or shouldn’t do a certain thing? We feel confident in our decision when we go to sleep at night, only to wake up at 3 a.m. questioning everything. The doubt creeps in, and we’re left wondering—was that my intuition speaking, or just fear?
Fear and intuition are both powerful forces in our lives, but they operate in very different ways. Fear often presents itself as a constrictive feeling. It says “no” and panics us into staying within the confines of our comfort zone. Fear is reactive, driven by the desire to avoid discomfort and maintain the status quo. It holds us back, making us second-guess decisions that could lead to growth or new opportunities.
Intuition, on the other hand, feels more expansive and positive. It doesn’t use the word “no” in the way fear does. Instead, intuition gently steers us in a different direction, guiding us toward what’s right for us without the same sense of anxiety or urgency. It’s an expressive, calm feeling that often brings clarity, even if the message is to avoid a certain path. Unlike fear, which is rooted in panic and doubt, intuition feels like a quiet nudge, encouraging us to follow a path that aligns with our true self.
To differentiate between the two, pay attention to how each feeling manifests in your body. Fear often comes with tightness, a racing heart, and a sense of urgency. It’s a frantic energy that pulls you back into safety. Intuition, however, feels grounded and centered, like a gentle push in a certain direction. It doesn’t pressure you; instead, it offers a sense of clarity and certainty, even if it’s guiding you away from something.
When faced with a decision, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself if you’re avoiding something because it’s truly not right for you or because you’re afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. By tuning into your intuition, you can navigate your fears more wisely, allowing you to make decisions that foster growth and lead you to a life that truly resonates with your deepest desires.

The Fear of Change

Even positive change can be intimidating. Setting a vision for something greater often requires us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace the unknown. This fear of change can create anxiety about what we might lose—relationships, routines, or even our current identity.
But think about it: if nothing changes, nothing changes. That’s a scary thought. Ask yourself, if everything in your life were to stay exactly the same for the next 30 years, how would you feel? If you’d love that, there’s no reason for you to be reading this article. But since you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing you wouldn’t be content with that scenario.
Consider your life as a blade of grass. All it wants to do is grow, expand, and change. It needs the right circumstances to thrive. But even when faced with obstacles—like concrete—a blade of grass will persistently push through a crack. Now, what happens when you pile a hose or some wood on top of that grass? After just a few days, when you lift that weight, the grass underneath looks wilted and pale. That’s exactly what happens to our spirit when we resist change and growth. Longing for more or wishing to change our current circumstances requires taking steps forward; it requires growth.
One powerful tool to help navigate this fear of change is journaling. Use journaling to explore your emotions, longings, discontent, fears, and beliefs. By writing these down, you can begin to release what’s holding you back when blueprinting or building your vision. This process allows you to identify and replace limiting beliefs with new, empowering ones—beliefs about yourself, your worthiness, your current circumstances, and your vision. As you continue to journal and reframe your beliefs, you start to become the version of yourself who already holds this vision in hand.
I experienced this firsthand about ten years ago when I wanted to leave my teaching career. Allen was training, teaching, and working hard to improve our financial situation, eventually taking a job out of province. I felt that by staying in my teaching career, I was providing stability for our family, being the roots that our kids needed while Allen was away. So, I stayed in teaching for eight more years. During that time, my health slowly deteriorated—severe arthritis at just 30, interstitial cystitis, losing my voice due to reflux, herniated discs in my neck, and even a large growth on my thyroid that required a biopsy. The health issues piled up so much that one of my sons started calling me fragile. My spirit was suffering under the weight of resisting change, just like grass trapped under a hose.
This difficult period led me to discover the power of the mind for healing and sparked my personal growth journey, ultimately shaping me into the coach I am today. Journaling was a crucial part of this transformation. It became a part of my daily routine and helped me to release the old beliefs that were keeping me stuck and to adopt new ones that aligned with the life I wanted to create.
Change is inevitable, whether we like it or not. The question is, would you rather be the growing grass, pushing through the cracks, or the dying grass suffocated under the weight of resistance?

Action Steps for Facing Fear in Creating and Manifesting Your Vision

1. Acknowledge and Identify Your Fear:
Begin by recognizing the specific fears that are holding you back—whether it’s fear of wanting more, judgment, disappointment, confusion, or change. Acknowledging these fears is the first step toward overcoming them.
2. Reframe Your Thoughts:
Rewrite your old beliefs and limiting thoughts into positive, life-giving thoughts and/or affirmations. “I am not smart enough” to “I am learning more everyday.” Also, shift your mindset by focusing on the positives of your current situation. Remind yourself that you have a strong foundation to build upon, and that wanting more does not mean you are ungrateful for what you already have.
3. Choose Your Support System Wisely:
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your dreams. Share your vision with those who uplift you and distance yourself from those who bring negativity or doubt.
4. Visualize Your Desired Outcome:
Use the power of your mind to visualize your goals and hold onto the emotions associated with achieving them. Practice visualizing your success daily, whether during routine tasks or dedicated meditation.
5. Distinguish Between Fear and Intuition:
When making decisions, tune into your body and emotions. Identify whether you’re experiencing fear—which feels constrictive and panicked—or intuition, which feels calm and guiding. Use this awareness to make decisions aligned with your true self.
6. Take Small, Consistent Steps Toward Change:
Embrace change by taking small, actionable steps out of your comfort zone. Remind yourself that growth requires change and that staying stagnant will only lead to dissatisfaction.
7. Reflect on Your Journey:
Regularly journal or reflect on your progress. Use this time to explore any limiting beliefs and reframe them into empowering ones. Recognize how far you’ve come and celebrate your growth.

Conclusion

Facing fear is an inevitable part of pursuing your vision, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By acknowledging your fears, reframing your thoughts, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and taking consistent action, you can transform fear into a driving force for growth. Remember, your dreams are worth pursuing, and you have the tools within you to manifest them into your reality. Trust your intuition, embrace change, and keep moving forward. As you do, you’ll find that fear loses its power, and your vision comes to life in ways you never imagined.