Let’s talk about fear. There are all kinds of fear. It’s not only the most timid of people who feel afraid, even the strongest of men can feel afraid sometimes. It’s just their fears may be different.
For example, you might feel fear when the lights go out, but that’s because there could be something out there. It’s the fear of the unknown that can get to you. It’s that unsettling feeling, when we can’t predict or control what’s ahead. We’ve all felt it, haven’t we?
It’s that nagging uncertainty that keeps you on edge, and it’s when you start to imagine worst-case scenarios. You may even begin to question whether you’re ready to face whatever might come!
Why does this happen? Why do we fear the unknown? Well, it’s because our brain is wired to avoid the unknown, and there’s a good reason behind it.
Why We Feel Afraid of The Unknown
Our fears keep us alert and cautious, which helps us to stay alive. So fear is our inbuilt survival tool. We have learned over the years that we don’t have to be afraid of every little thing, but the moment we encounter something unfamiliar, the part of our brain responsible for processing fear, lights up like a warning beacon! It sends out a warning signal that something isn’t quite right, so be careful!
This warning signal was certainly helpful when our survival depended on it centuries ago, but today it often works against us. It’s our fear of the unknown that can hold us back, all because we’re too afraid to get out of our comfort zone and take a risk.
Why the Unknown Feels So Threatening
Our fear of the unknown comes down to one thing. A lack of control. We love being in control and we like knowing what’s coming next so we can prepare.
It’s when life throws us a challenge, something unexpected or unfamiliar, that we feel like we are losing our sense of control, and we don’t like that, do we?
That’s when we start thinking of all the possibilities that could happen, and more often than not, those possibilities lean towards the negative. We imagine what could go wrong, not what could go right.
It’s like I said earlier, when the lights go out and you don’t know what’s there, your mind conjures up every scary possibility. Whereas in reality, there’s nothing there at all.
You Can’t Eliminate The Unknown
Unfortunately, you can’t eliminate the unknown. Your life will always be full of twists and turns that you can’t predict or control. However, you can learn to manage your fears and face the unknown with more confidence.
Start by recognizing when fear is creeping in and what it is you’re afraid of. When you are beginning to lose control with your worst case scenarios, slow it down a little and think logically. Instead of thinking about everything that could go wrong, ask yourself what could go right. That’s a possibility too you know!
Next, remind yourself you have felt the fear of the unknown a million times before and you have survived. You have probably come out stronger than before. It’s probably safe to say that some of your fears of yesteryear are long gone today!
Think about all the times you’ve handled challenges or stressful situations. Those experiences show that even when you don’t know what’s coming, you’re capable of figuring it out and surviving another day.
Having a fear of the unknown is a part of who we are. It’s built into our DNA. You could call it a leftover survival mechanism, passed on by our ancestors.
However, lucky for us, we don’t need it like they did! For them, a fear of the unknown almost certainly meant life or death danger. Whereas for us, we don’t have to let our fears control our life.
So the next time you feel that fear creeping in, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s okay not to know what’s going on, or to have all the answers right now. It’s not something to fear, it’s something to manage.
The unknown definitely feels uncomfortable, but it’s also where you can grow stronger. It’s where your life can become more in control and less fearful!
