Overcoming Fear: Lessons from Beauty from Chaos

Fear and growth go hand in hand. The moments that matter most in life—the ones that shape us—are often the ones that scare us the most.

When I decided to write my first book, fear was right there beside me every step of the way. For years, I had talked about writing a book. It was something I wanted to do deeply, but when it came time to actually start, I was terrified.

The scariest part wasn’t writing—it was telling people I was doing it. What would they think? What if they judged me? What if the book wasn’t any good, and now people knew I had produced it? Those thoughts played on repeat in my head.

But deep down, I also knew this: I had to do it. It wasn’t about creating a perfect book; it was about getting through the process of writing the first one. The first time you do anything, it’s not going to be perfect, and that’s okay. It’s not supposed to be. The first book, painting, or project is about learning, growing, and laying the foundation for what comes next.

And here’s the truth I learned: Each time you push through fear, you get better. My first book wasn’t perfect, and neither were my first paintings. Some of them were outright terrible! But I kept going. I honed my skills, embraced the messy middle, and learned to value progress over perfection.

The same lesson applies to any dream you have. It’s okay to feel afraid—just don’t let it stop you. Have the courage to take that first step, even if it’s scary. Do it afraid. That’s a phrase I live by because so much of what I’ve accomplished started with fear sitting right next to me.

So, what’s the dream or goal you’ve been putting off because of fear? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to start, knowing it doesn’t have to be perfect?

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For more stories and tools to help you push through fear, revisit Chapter 10 of Beauty from Chaos. Remember: courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid—it means you take the step anyway.