Fear can be like that "friend" from junior high--the one you couldn't shake no matter what you tried. It shows up at my creativity workshops, in conversations with friends and clients and just about everywhere these days. Our current national economic woes have created a climate where you can almost sense fear in the very air we breathe. So how to deal with it besides the obvious suggestions like avoiding the news?

 

The most important thing I've learned about fear is that the more we try to squash it, the bigger it gets. Fear is determined to be recognized!  Instead of trying to push it away, try dealing with it creatively.

 

Draw your Fear

 

Use that Michael's coupon and buy yourself a large sketch pad and some oil pastels. With your drawing materials in front of you, close your eyes and breathe into your fear.  Place your hands on the blank page and let yourself feel the colors and images that come up for you. Now draw with your dominant or your non-dominant hand. So often when we're feeling fearful, we actually become the fear! Drawing is a great way to place the fear outside yourself where it's likely to be less scary.

 

Dialogue with the Fear

 

Think of your fear as a separate entity-one you can communicate with. You might even want to name it (my own fear is named Freda). Write out a conversation using a dialogue format between your wise, knowing self and that part of you who is afraid. This will help you discover what the real issues are-and they may not be what you think!

 

 

When you find yourself hit with a barrage of fear, stop.  Ask yourself what happened before the fear hit that triggered it. Was it a chance remark from someone?  The fact that you neglected to eat lunch and your blood sugar is low? Or maybe it was that bad economic report that was on NPR this morning (one of my big triggers).  Creating awareness around the causes of your fits of fear will help you be less vulnerable the next time around. 

Dance it Out

 

Remember that emotions are just energy and fear is no different. We store emotion as energy in our bodies, and it can become stuck there. When was the last time you danced? Fire up YouTube, find your favorite upbeat song and dance the fearful energy away (What a Feeling is my personal favorite). Need more incentive to move? Recent studies have shown that exercise can be just as effective as anti-depressants-and there are no side effects!

 

Get Help

 

If your fear is really overwhelming you, get help. Friends can't (and shouldn't) fix us, but they can provide the gift of listening. While it's always been hard for me to reach out, I have come to believe that we honor our friends when we share our deep feelings. Build a support team which might include friends, a mental health professional or alternative healers. If you need professional help and money, negotiate or barter.

 

In this fearful world, the need is greater than ever to live our lives creatively. Perhaps that's silver lining!

 

Wishing you light and laughter,