Every day is a battle against these traits. I fight so hard to overcome the fear and self doubts. Little by little I am getting more and more confident and the best thing I have ever done was to step out of my comfort zone about 15 years ago by quitting my job to take a Time Out and make changes to my life. And I sure found change.
I can easily say that after taking that first big step of facing the fear and going against it, I have done it a thousand more times if not even more. It has made me grow and learn tremendous things about myself and my near and dear ones. It hasn't always been easy, quite the opposite - these years have been he most challenging in my life so far. But they have also been the most fulfilling and rewarding years.
I did this because I don't want to be a victim to fear and worries, low self esteem and constant uncertainty about doing things right. I know I can make my life the way I want it to be if I'm just brave enough to take charge. Grab the steering wheel. Become an active traveler instead of just sitting along on this bouncy journey in the passenger seat.
I very much refuse to let fear guide my life the way it has done and still partly is.
I refuse to limit myself and my abilities to the lack of self-belief.
Aging helps. Time and experiences, mistakes and solutions found makes me reach further and closer to a life with no regrets, with fulfillment and the ability to say I am proud of myself and I am good enough to have it all; love, respect, health, success and happiness.
I will not let fear guide my life in 2015. I will take action and work hard to make my dreams come true. It will be interesting to see where this statement will take me. And for the record, some of you might think I am a Superwoman with no fear in my pocket (don't believe everything you see...) and maybe I am a Superwoman at times. But most of the time I am just a normal girl, tip toeing around life like it would be a big bad wolf. And that (!) I want to change.
Kärlek
Annette
I can relate to everything you say here. Take a look at tinybuddha.com, I think you'll find their daily posts very useful and inspirational!
ReplyDeleteAmanda x
Annette, I wish you in 2015 sufficient confidence !!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great mother! Smart and skilled woman!
I understand completely! Low self esteem is a curse and one that I myself am only just overcoming, having just passed my half century. As you say, age does help! If you're getting there younger, as you are, then very well done to you! It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Also remember that no-one is, nor ever needs to try to be, perfect. Jen
ReplyDeleteA fabulous and inspiring post, Annette, and no, you're not alone. I think you're spot on when you say that confidence comes with age; it really does. Sometimes when you're the type of person who is good at 'blagging it' (as I call it), i.e. you appear outwardly confident, others seem to get the impression that you don't feel the fear. Which of course is rubbish. You go girl. A bit of caution is never a bad thing but then neither is having the guts to grasp opportunity. xxx
ReplyDeleteI am sure that your feelings and comments resonate with many, Annette. You certainly don't give the impression of someone suffering from self doubt. Good on you! May you realise your dreams in 2015.
ReplyDeleteBe fearless Annette, grab this One Life we have with both hands and be the best you can.....and if at times you can't be the best, then it's perfectly fine to be Just Good Enough! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteWe'll as a 60+ something lady I can tell that ageing REALLY does help. The more you climb that generational ladder and realise life is finite and not a dress rehearsal the more you listen to the whispering of your soul. Listen well because it whispers sweetly if you do. Good luck. I hope your ladder holds steady. I hope you climb with confidence and I hope you leave all your demons and shadows on the first rung. Happy New You, and Happy New Year. And don't forget sometimes good enough is just that ... Plenty good enough xxx
ReplyDeleteKære Anette
ReplyDeleteDu er meget modig, når du poster noget så personligt. Jeg beundrer dig for det og for, at du altid er positiv og viser glæde og skønhed på din blog.
Good for you! That is a lovely post to share, hopefully others will read it and be inspired to face their fears. The first partfor most is even recognising they have fears, we get pushed and pulled around by our emotions without knowing how or why. I am fearless often in myself but my motto this year is not to let MY FEAR hold my children back. We worry so much for our children and its hard not to want to overprotect them....and my children are young adults now!! I hope you continue on and show yourself what you are capable of.
ReplyDeleteWell said Annette - here's wishing that 2015 will see those fears put behind you x Jane
ReplyDeleteHello Annette
ReplyDeleteI have just read your message and need to say ...I am 70 yrs old and spent most of my life feeling inadequate.... but I realize it was the people who made me feel like this... were infact inadequate themselves, and the only way they could feel good..... was to belittle me !
I am now at the age where I answer to myself and not them....I look back at the time I have wasted feeling like this, we all walk in the shadow of someone else.... but then so do they!
Annette don't waste time it goes to quickly..you have much to be proud of embrace life and your lovely family!
Not forgetting your wonderful blog!
Love Marg
Dearest Annette,
ReplyDeleteSpoken from the depth of your inner being and I hear you loud and clear. Many of us battle with the same fears, me included. People think I am so strong and outgoing...sometimes I just want to go and hide away, but I am trying hard. Step by little step...we can be brave!
Sending big hugs xx
A wonderful and inspiring post. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously...I could've written every word of this post. Thank you for being open and giving me the feeling that I'm not alone in my fight over fear and anxiety. I, too, hope that 2015 is completely anxiety free!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours.
I know it's some or the little case with everyone. Even successful people have fear with challenges in life. I have added a goal in 2015 - ' think less, worry less' :) Sometimes, we think too much about 'what if ' .
ReplyDelete…. love this post!!!
ReplyDeletehappy 2015, xxxx Ale
Hi, Annette. All of us think we have many fears and felt unsafe. I say wholeheartedly. And other friends of mine too. We are women. Who reflect on everything that happens to us. And everything that happens around us. I wish that you may overcome your fears. And I wish that you're happy, very happy to create beautiful things. We always have here to help you with whatever you need. A big hug and good luck for 2015, Annette. Kisses and many hugs from Catalonia!
ReplyDeleteI can really relte to your post and have set myself some goals for the next year too...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing....
Regards, Lianne
I understand you completely! I'm going through the same thing. I plan to be brave this year. And just so you know...I think you are doing a great job because I would never have suspected that you had any fears. I love your blog and everything you make.
ReplyDeleteIt's posts like these that make me love your blog as much as I do and why - in my humble opinion - it stands out from the crowd. It takes courage to be this honest and vulnerable and you deserve all of our respect for doing so - this alone is a very brave thing to do! I'm sure that what you've said resonates with many of us and by giving words to what many of us experience too, you've already offered help! Standing together, supporting each other here in this crafty corner of blog land, I just know we can make a difference and grow on a personal level! Here's to a fearless 2015! Love, Marianne xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your posts, which I love to read. Thank you for your honesty and yes you are not alone at all. I feel every word you wrote.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Linda Gilberts comment and wish I will have her wisdom.
Look after your soul and nurture it.
Sending out positive, brings in positive actions. More power to you! An inspiration for us as well to live braver.x
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Very well said!!
ReplyDeleteXO Kris
An insightful post written from the heart Annette, I can relate to so much of what you are saying. I am wiser now I am 60+; I wish I had not wasted so many years second guessing myself. And worrying and fretting about the past, the present and worst of all, the future. Fear and anxiety erode the soul, robbing us of our confidence and feelings of well being. So more power to you, dear Annette, you are a talented and beautiful person; may 2015 be your year to shine. Pat xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for this honest post my friend. I think I could have written it myself. Sometimes fear totally gets the best of me, and I think actually I am worse as I age, maybe the hormone thing makes it worse.
ReplyDeleteI think you are Superwoman, for sharing and being real.
Meredith
I wish you all the best on your journey. Regula
ReplyDeleteOnce I read an inspiring book by Jack Canfield called "how to get from where you are to where you want to be" and one of the chapters was called: Feel the fear and do it anyway! You go girl..... In life, there are no mistakes but lessons to be learnt, anyway..... Have a fab 2015. I am planning to make some changes too..... Pati xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thank you for this post. After blogging for 2 years I suddenly lost confidence and felt that I can only post after I write a perfect post (which has not happened since October)! Now I am going to give it my best once again and I think 2015 is going to be the year for me. :)
ReplyDelete