Fear is a Good Catalyst for Change, Right?

Recently, I have had many opportunities to talk with friends and professional colleagues about the need for personal change. Many of these conversations have revolved around discussions about personal relationships, professional jobs, and the need for personal reinvention. I wondered if many of these conversations were based on the fact that fall is quickly approaching which tends to signal change, or if the conversations were age based as many in my circle are quickly approaching 50.

Some in my circle have grappled with whether to remain in relationships that have become dysfunctional and toxic, while others have become consumed by their jobs, almost never taking time to enjoy life and its beauty. Several of my closest friends are seriously considering downsizing their lives and living more minimalistically. Initially, I wondered exactly what they meant as they appeared to have life by the horns. I was told the desire to lead a more simplistic lifestyle was due in part to the need to downsize the importance they have allowed their jobs to have in their lives. Many in my circle are senior social work administrators, organizational program directors, and some even own their own businesses and are quite successful financially. Even with great success, fear can often prevent us from changing our lives in ways that truly bring us happiness and self-fulfillment. Our jobs do not define us, instead, they help us to do the things we want to do and often times need to do.

In order to achieve true self-fulfillment, I have learned we must be willing to release the fear that keeps us from moving forward. Do I personally feel fear on occasion? Yes. Are there areas in my personal and work life I would like to change? Absolutely. As I approach my next major age milestone in the next few years, I am sure I too will begin to explore and take inventory of my life. In some ways, I already have.

As we approach fall, I promise myself to make a conscious effort not to continue living my life in a way that does not fully celebrate me, my loving family, and my incredibly supportive friends. I will make a stronger effort to take more moments to enjoy the little things in life (like having an ice-cream cone without thinking about the calories). I will take more time to walk, not run because everything is not an emergency. I will try my hardest to leave work at work and not allow it to consume me with endless emails and phone calls (sometimes initiated by me) during my time off. And finally, I will try to look for ways to downsize my life, so that I too will know what is truly important.

Fear is a necessary part of life and can help us lead a much more satisfying life if we embrace it and move past it. Fear can be a good catalyst for change. Right!