Does taking action really cure fear?
You've probably heard people say that action cures fear, but what does it mean, and more importantly, what does it look like?
Black Women Get to Be, the newsletter and podcast, was created by Qubilah Huddleston and is driven by connection and community. If you’re new here, subscribe (free or paid), like this post, share it with a friend or two, and leave a comment below while you’re at it. I’d love to hear from you.
What does “action cures fear” mean?
This phrase essentially means that by acting on something, whether that be applying for a job you don’t think you’re qualified for or pursuing that creative project you’ve been sitting on entirely way too long, we can overcome self-doubt or a lack of confidence that may be holding us back. You might have also heard phrases such as “do it scared” or “progress over perfection.” They all boil down to this notion that if we just take action, we can actually overcome those sometimes valid, yet often overinflated fears.
You might be thinking “that sounds good, but idk idk!” Listen, I get it. Imagining how to do a new project or go after an amazing opportunity when you’re morbidly scared of failure doesn’t sound like a good time at all. However, what lies on the other side—success, growth, opportunity—makes doing the things you need and want to do even when fearful of potential failure worth it.
The fear of the unknown is scary-point blank period. The thing is, you’ll never not have some sort of anxiety or fear of failure when it comes to doing something new or different. So you might as well just try and see what happens. Even if you end up “failing,” you will likely learn so many important lessons that will propel you a lot further than you even thought was possible.
Also, experience is the best teacher, sis. If nobody has told you this yet, there’s really no way you get what you desire most or level up without taking some form of action!
In the spirit of taking my own advice, I’m happy to announce that I have pushed past my self-doubt and launched a fall wellness series with a local Black-owned coffee shop in my neighborhood. It’s titled Herbs Rx: Natural Remedies for the Fall.
Throughout four sessions between October and November, I will host this series under my business, The Holistic Agenda, (I’ll share more about this later 🙈 ) with Creative Grounds DC. Herbs Rx is designed to help you harness the power of plants as the season changes. Each session we’ll dive into the medicinal properties of various herbs and learn how to craft simple, supportive herbal remedies that can be made right at home. Whether you’re looking to boost your wellness routine or explore natural health solutions, this series will empower you with the knowledge and skills to develop a loving relationship with plants and a nourishing at-home apothecary.
If you’re in the DMV, I would LOVE to see you there!! We can go from internet cousins, to real-life cousins.
Workshop dates
10.04, 6pm- DIY Fire Cider
10.18, 6pm - DIY Tea for a Calm Nervous System
10.20, 3pm - DIY Tea for Immune Support
11.03m 3pm - DIY Herbal Cough Drops
Because y’all are some real ones, I have a discount code to share with you: BWGTB. You’ll get $10 off a standard ticket price. I also have “community supported” tickets which are lower than the standard price and available for people who want to attend but need some financial assistance. You can find all the registration links here.
Up first is the fire cider workshop, which you definitely don’t want to miss! With the cold weather flowing in, we’ll need all the natural goodness we can get to stay and be well.
When I tell you that launching this collaboration has rocked my nerves, it’s rocked my nerves. It’s not like I haven’t put myself out there before, but each time it’s time for me to do that, the nerves and worries surface. All said, I’m still doing it anyway. Making mistakes. Overthinking and overanalyzing. All of it.
We get this one life, in this form anyway, so we have to make the most of it. That means doing the thing, big or small, our hearts desire even when we are nervous and fearful.
I got this. You got this.
Abrazos y besos* for reading my work! It’s dope to know that people are interested in what I have to say. I am self-care and personal growth strategist who helps Black women who do too much, do less. I envision a world in which Black women trade in their superhero or magician capes for radical self-care, rest, and joy. I come in love and grace, and as always take what you need, leave what you don’t.
If this post resonated with you, please give it a like, and if you know a Black woman who could benefit from reading this article, please share. Many thanks.
* Means “hugs and kisses” in Spanish.
Below are a few more ways you can support and keep up with me.
Instagram 📱
My other written works ✍🏾
Make a donation in lieu of a subscription 🫶🏾
🌀 "All said, I'm still doing it anyway."
Congrats on putting together such a beautiful series! My little herbalist heart is beaming with such a generous & well needed offer to support folks. I relate to this piece so much & I'm currently doing it scared. I've been heavily leaning on my adaptogen plant allies to help me ride the tide of making new choices of action. Thanks for sharing 💙.
Go Qubilah for launching this project! And I felt so much of what you said on the fear of doing things, because SAME.