Fear of the new is a common feeling that many people experience at some point in their lives. It can be the fear of trying something new, the fear of meeting new people, or the fear of facing unfamiliar situations.
Although it may be difficult, it is important to remember that living in fear is a part of life and that we cannot avoid always feeling fear.
However, we can learn to manage our fears more effectively and take advantage of the opportunities life presents to us, even when we are afraid.
By accepting our fears, making a list of new things we want to try, asking for help, and taking small steps, we can overcome our fears and face new situations with more confidence and security.
Why does the unknown scare us?
According to neuroscientist David Eagleman, when we do something new, our brain has to process that information differently, which makes time feel slower and the experience more memorable (Eagleman, 2015).
This may be one of the reasons why we are afraid of the unknown, as our brain has to work harder to process new information and this can be uncomfortable. Furthermore, fear of the unknown may be a way to protect ourselves and avoid dangerous or difficult situations (Lang, 1979).
How fear of the new can limit our decisions and opportunities
Fear of the new can be an obstacle to our personal growth and limit our decisions and opportunities. According to a study conducted by Harvard University (Baumeister & Schmeichel, 2003), fear of failure or fear of rejection may be two of the most common fears that prevent us from taking risks and trying new things. These fears can make us feel insecure and can lead us to avoid challenging situations or make safer decisions that are less satisfying in the long run.
As Lu Ann Cahn mentioned in a TEDx talk in 2018, “The fear of failure or rejection can paralyze us and cause us to avoid challenging situations or opportunities that can be very enriching.«.
Furthermore, fear of the new can make us feel trapped in our comfort zone, which prevents us from exploring new opportunities and experiences. According to Cahn, “When we cling to our comfort zone, we miss out on the opportunity to grow and learn new things. We are not open to what life has to offer us.«.
Fear of the new can also limit our relationships and our connections with others. According to the British psychologist, “When we cling to our comfort zone, we also close ourselves off to new friendships and connections. We are not willing to take risks and show our vulnerability with other people.«This can lead us to feel more alone and isolated and to lose opportunities for connection and emotional support.
In short, fear of the new can limit our decisions and opportunities and make us feel trapped in our comfort zone. However, facing and overcoming our fears can be an opportunity to grow and live a fuller, more satisfying life.
Put yourself in the hands of an expert: how a psychologist can help us face our fears
Sometimes facing our fears can be difficult to do on our own. If you feel like your fears are limiting you or you feel overwhelmed by them, it can be helpful to seek the help of a psychologist. A psychologist can help you identify the causes of your fears and develop strategies to overcome them. In addition, a psychologist can provide you with support and understanding during the process of overcoming your fears.
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Strategies to overcome the fear of the new
Although fear of the new is a normal and understandable feeling, there are some strategies we can use to overcome it and live a more fulfilling life. Some of these strategies are:
- Accepting fear: Although it can be difficult, accepting fear is an important step toward overcoming it. According to a study conducted by Stanford University (Cacioppo & Patrick, 2008), accepting our fears instead of denying or repressing them can help us manage them more effectively.
- Make a list of new things you want to try: As psychologist Lu Ann Cahn mentioned, “Making a simple list of simple things you've never done can be a powerful first step and a reminder of all the things you still have to do.«By making a list of new things you want to try, you can get an idea of the areas of your life you want to grow in, and you can check things off your list as you do them.
- Ask for help: Sometimes, asking for help from a psychologist can be very useful to face and overcome our fears. A psychologist can help us identify the causes of our fears and develop strategies to overcome them.
- Take small steps: Instead of facing all of your fears at once, try taking small steps to overcome them little by little. This can make the process less overwhelming and allow you to celebrate smaller achievements as you go.
Conclusions: Learning to live with fear and taking advantage of the opportunities that life presents to us
Although fear of the new is a normal and understandable feeling, facing and overcoming our fears can be an opportunity to grow and live a fuller life.
By accepting our fears, making a list of new things we want to try, asking for help, and taking small steps, we can overcome our fears and face new situations with more confidence and security. Although it is normal to be afraid, learning to live with fear and take advantage of the opportunities it presents us can be very enriching and can help us grow as people.