The fear of failure is as harmful as a heavy door slamming in the distance. Yet, it stops us in our tracks. What if I fail?
What’s the worst-case scenario? People will laugh. You’ll lose money. No one will follow you. And then you will die. Except, you can’t escape death even if you succeed.
Failure is comfortable because it requires nothing to change. No one expects anything from someone who continuously fails. The possibility of failure is enough to keep you from starting. Change is inevitable though, if it’s not you that changes, it’s what is around you that will change. Everything will continue to move, even if you’re dead set on standing still. That in itself is a choice. You cannot persuade the world to stop spinning. Your friends, family, and acquaintances will grow older. New workers will be introduced individually at your local coffee shop, except for one, who will become the head barista. You can’t hold onto people or places, hoping they won’t age. They will. Fearing change has no effect on its imminent arrival, the only remedy to its harshness being the release of your tight grip.
You have to move; even if your movements aren’t evident to the outside, you have to do something. Make your bed. Wash your face. Go for a walk. The time will pass regardless.