In 2008, I decided to give away all my possessions and sell my San Francisco loft, keeping only a few boxes of personal belongings and prized books. I bought a 23-year-old Toyota Land Cruiser and quit my high-paying job in Silicon Valley.
What was I doing?
I was tired of wearing a corporate mask that never fit too well and wanted a more visceral life experience, believing I’d find it exploring Latin America. The intellectual side of letting go of this life was freeing and hopeful. Then the fear kicked in.
The Unknown
Fear has a strong voice. "Hey, you have all your good friends here, a great career, the athletic club, and you recently became single. You have your whole life ahead of you. Stay in The City." This fear, at times intense, pursued me all the way to the US-Mexico border.
That’s when the exhilaration kicked in—I was in Mexico. I felt a surge of freedom I had denied myself for decades. Now it was happening, and the fear transformed from 'freeze' to forward movement and action. And unknowing.
I bought my first tank of gas, which turned into my first Spanish lesson. Then I ambled down the paved highway until I hit dirt, taking the backroads out to the Pacific Ocean. This was the exhilarating side of fear, and I felt assured of my decision to leave it all behind.
Live It
Fear can be like gravity, holding you in place until you lean into it, probing for what’s on the other side. I was following what I knew to be true, trusting my intuition to explore and immerse myself in other cultures. I did it, and it changed my life for the better.
Now, I am a great listener when a friend talks about a dream of theirs. I’m ready to encourage them to take one step towards it. With me, they have an instant cheerleader, someone who encourages exploring the dream. Their fears are shared like a common denominator between all people.
An important lesson I learned is that fear and exhilaration can feel the same in the body. Once I embraced this understanding, I used it to lean into my fears, discovering that I had a great deal of excitement in my life. This realization enriched my life, added meaning, and surprisingly boosted my self-confidence.
More on this topic: Fear: Reframe this Powerful Emotion
Coach with Me to Take Your First Steps to Exhilaration
I would love to invite you to join me on this journey of exploration, freedom, and transformation. As someone who has experienced the profound impact of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, I believe your insights and intuition can guide your adventure. Together we can constructively face your fears and embrace the life you desire.
Awesome