We’ve all been there. Standing on the precipice of something new, our hearts pounding in our chests, our brains whirling with every conceivable ‘what if.’ It’s that feeling when you’re about to step into a situation that feels entirely out of your depth. The prospect of failure looms large, and the instinct to retreat is almost overwhelming. Yet, there’s this little phrase that’s been floating around, a mantra for those moments: “Do it afraid.”
Let’s unpack that for a second. “Do it afraid” isn’t about dismissing your fears, pretending they don’t exist, or shaming yourself for feeling them. It’s not about toxic positivity, telling yourself that everything will be fine if you just believe hard enough. No, “do it afraid” is about acknowledging that fear, sitting with it, and moving forward anyway. It’s an act of radical bravery, where you choose to engage with life fully, even when the stakes feel sky-high.
Language shapes our reality. And when we think about the language we use around fear, it’s usually in terms of avoidance. We’re taught to conquer fear, to be fearless. But what if we’re missing the point? What if the real strength lies not in eliminating fear, but in coexisting with it?
“Do it afraid” is a reclamation of that narrative. It’s saying, “I see you, fear. I understand why you’re here. But I’m not going to let you drive.” Fear isn’t inherently bad—it’s a survival mechanism that’s kept our species alive for millennia. But in our modern world, fear can sometimes overstep its bounds, showing up not just in genuinely dangerous situations, but in moments of growth and change.
Think about it: fear is often a sign that you’re on the edge of something significant. It’s that jittery, uneasy feeling you get before a big presentation, a tough conversation, or a leap into the unknown. And that’s where “do it afraid” comes in. It’s the permission slip to feel all the fear and still take that step forward.
We often talk about confidence as if it’s a prerequisite for action. We wait until we feel ready, until we’re sure, until the fear subsides. But the truth is, confidence is often the result of action, not the cause. You build it by showing up, by doing the thing even when you’re terrified. Over time, you realize that fear doesn’t have to be an immovable barrier. It’s more like a fog—dense and overwhelming at first, but once you start walking through it, you find that you can navigate just fine.
In our journey towards body liberation, self-acceptance, or any kind of personal growth, fear will be a constant companion. But instead of letting it paralyze us, we can choose to let it inform us. What is this fear telling me about my values, my desires, my boundaries? And how can I honor those insights while still moving towards the life I want?
So the next time you’re faced with a moment that makes your stomach drop, remember: it’s okay to feel afraid. It’s okay to feel unsure, to have doubts. But don’t let those feelings be the end of the story. Embrace them, acknowledge them, and then do it afraid. You might just surprise yourself with how capable you really are.
After all, courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the decision that something else is more important than fear. And in that decision lies the power to transform your life.
