Be Nervous-Don't Be Scared

Along with a majority of the world, when I don’t know what is happening I struggle. I hate going into a new situation blind. If I’m going to a new location I check the parking situation first. A new restaurant gets at least 5 online menu lookups. I ask too many questions and try to be over prepared and somehow I’m still nervous- even when nerves aren’t necessary.

It’s a biological response to feel uneasy or “nervous” when it comes to a situation with an unknown outcome. We are human. We like to be prepared. We survive on what we know. If 99% of our day was us trying to figure out every situation we face, most of us wouldn’t last a week. We may face uncertainty and new situations every couple of days, but for the most part we can understand and be prepared for what’s happening.

The choice of what to wear, what to eat, who to talk to, those decisions are made every day. If it’s a normal day very little thought goes into it. When we have a big event, are going somewhere new, interacting with strangers, that can cause a little nervousness for these same decisions we make daily.

Add some new and there may be a little discomfort.

It’s human to worry about the unknown.

It’s ok to be nervous, just don’t be scared.

See, I heard this quote from an athlete on a podcast over a year ago and it sat with me. His father had told him (when starting into the sport) “It’s okay to be nervous, just don’t be scared.”

A new place, new eyes watching, a bigger spotlight, a new experience.

Anyone would be nervous. “Nerves mean you care.”

You want the outcome to be good. “Nerves are just energy; use it.” It’s anticipation, excitement, power.

When we let those nerves turn negative it becomes fear. When we let ourselves become scared of a situation, we are losing our power to control it.

I’m always nervous talking to people- even if I’ve met them before- unless they are in my solid friend/family group. I always worry about what people think of me and what I say and how I look, but I’m not scared.

I’m nervous how I’m perceived, but if they don’t like it it’s fine. If I was scared, I probably wouldn’t talk much. I’d stop putting myself in any situation to ever encounter new people. I’d stop sharing ideas and thoughts. I might even stop leaving the house.

I’m nervous every time I share my writing, but if people think it’s bad the worst that happens is they stop reading. If I was scared, I’d think the worst that happens is they tell me it’s bad. Okay? That’s criticism I can use to get better.

Nervousness can be managed, directed, used to push us forward out of our comfort zones and maybe into something amazing.

Being scared takes it away. It closes us off. It hides what we have to offer the world.

My senior year I let fear stop me from moving forward with an opportunity that could have changed my life.

My freshman year of college I had nerves as I once again attempted something else that DID change my life.

I always wonder what could have been if I managed my fear and shifted it to nervousness.

Nervousness is you in control.

Being scared is the emotion in control.

Each day I have things that make me nervous. Mostly attempting a longer run or trying to keep my toddler managed. If I was scared of my runs I wouldn’t be making progress. If I was scared of toddler activities, I’d lose the freedom to do what I have to do along with that to keep our house afloat.

Negative energy can either guide us to grow or shut us down. Your choice.

It’s okay to be nervous, just don’t be scared.