FEAR IS A SCAM – HERE’S HOW I CONQUERED IT

If you had asked me a week ago whether I’d willingly strap myself into a machine designed to hurl people through the air at breathtaking speeds, I would have laughed, packed my bags, and walked away from the conversation. I have always been terrified of heights. And when I say terrified, I mean the full-on, heart-pounding, soul-leaving-body kind of fear.

But a few days ago, I found myself at an amusement park, standing face-to-face with my worst nightmare - 

a roller coaster. I had no intention of getting on it. My plan was simple: stand on solid ground, cheer on my friend, and keep my feet planted where they belonged. Yet, through a mix of peer pressure, a momentary lapse in judgment, and a rogue inner voice whispering, “What’s the worst that could happen?” - I ended up buckled in.

 

"Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

As the ride inched its way to the top, I had many regrets. I questioned my life choices. I thought about all the goodbyes I hadn’t said. I considered whether my seatbelt was truly secure or if this was, in fact, my final ride on God’s earth.

And then, the drop.

My stomach embarked on a separate journey. My brain hit pause. I screamed - no, I wailed. But then, something unexpected happened. After the initial shock, I started… enjoying it? The fear didn’t vanish, but it wasn’t as powerful as I had built it up to be. And when the ride ended, I did something that shocked me even more.

I got on another ride because as George Addair rightly said, "Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear."

 

The Pendulum Ride - Because Apparently, I Enjoy Suffering

If the roller coaster was bad, the pendulum ride was its evil twin. Imagine being swung back and forth, each time going higher, until you’re nearly upside down, staring at the sky and questioning your existence.

I gripped the safety bar like my life depended on it (which, in my mind, it did). As the ride swung, I felt my soul attempt to exit my body. I wasn’t just screaming anymore, I was bargaining with the universe, making promises to be a better person, and mentally drafting my will.

And yet… I survived.

Somewhere between the sheer terror and the wind rushing past my face, something shifted. I realized fear had been holding me hostage, convincing me I couldn’t do things. But here I was, doing them. And not just surviving, I was living.

What I Learned About Fear (That Fear Doesn’t Want You to Know)

➢ Fear is a Master Exaggerator - Fear will convince you that you’re in mortal danger when, in reality, you’re safely secured in a ride engineered to thrill, not kill. The mind is a dramatic storyteller. It builds elaborate horror scenes in your head before you even try. But 90% of the time, it’s lying. Fear Thrives on Assumptions.

➢ Fear Loses Power When You Face It - I went from “I will literally die” to “Wait, that was kind of fun.” The moment you confront fear, it starts shrinking. It’s like a bully that backs down the moment you stand up to it.

➢ The More You Challenge Fear, the More Confident You Become - I walked out of that amusement park feeling like I had unlocked a new level of bravery. If I could best acrophobia, what else could I not conquer?

And that leads me to my next challenge - swimming.

 

Next Fear on My List: The Water

Just like I once believed I’d fly out of a roller coaster seat, I also believe I’ll drown the second I step into deep water. But now, I’m starting to wonder, has fear been lying to me about that too?

So, I’m putting it out here - I will learn to swim. Will it be graceful? Absolutely not. Will I look like I’m fighting for my life while a five-year-old effortlessly floats past me? Without a doubt. But if fear is a scam, I refuse to keep falling for it.

 

Now, It’s Your Turn

What’s the one thing you’ve been avoiding because of fear? Public speaking? Learning a new skill? Asking for an opportunity?

A wise friend once told me, "Face your fears squarely. Fear is only in your head; nobody can make you feel it except you."

So, I challenge you: pick one fear and take a step toward conquering it. It doesn’t have to be extreme—just one step. You might find, like I did, that fear isn’t as powerful as you thought.

Always remember, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

And if you ever need proof that fear is a scam, just remember: I rode a roller coaster, swung through the air on a pendulum, and lived to tell the tale.

Oh, and soon, I’ll be swimming too.

What fear are you facing next? Drop a comment, and let’s tackle it together!

 

...Sweet Lilian