Ep 207: Reframing Fear: Turning Discomfort Into Growth

Fear has a way of showing up right when we’re about to step into something new.

Whether it’s switching careers, starting a creative pursuit, speaking in front of others, or moving toward a vision that feels unfamiliar, fear can easily talk us out of opportunities before we even give ourselves the chance to try.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple but powerful mindset shift: 

Learning how to reframe fear so it becomes a signal for growth rather than something that holds you back.

Just like the first time you learned to drive a car, the beginning can feel overwhelming. But through practice, repetition, and experience, what once felt intimidating eventually becomes second nature.

Fear doesn’t mean stop.
Often, it simply means you’re stepping into something new.

In this conversation, we explore:
• Why fear shows up when you're leveling up
• How reframing fear changes your relationship with opportunity
• Why doing things “afraid” is often the path to clarity and confidence
• The role of repetition in removing fear over time

If you’re currently navigating a new direction in your life, career, or creative path, this episode will help you see fear from a different perspective.

Affiliates mentioned in this episode:

Cannabolix: https://cannabolix.org/?ref=yyioghne

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Vision Alignment Blueprint (VAB)

The Vision Alignment Blueprint is a guided creative workbook designed to help you clarify your vision, reconnect with your creative voice, and move forward with intention.

It’s for creatives who want structure without pressure — and depth without overwhelm.

📖 Explore the Vision Alignment Blueprint:

👉 https://keetria.gumroad.com/l/creativeworkbook

Creative Coaching

I offer 1:1 creative mindset coaching for artists and creatives who want clarity, consistency, and alignment in their work and life.

If you’re feeling stuck, in transition, or ready to move in a different direction, this is a supportive place to start.

📅 Book a session:

👉 https://calendly.com/styleofbusiness

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🤍 Support the show on Patreon:  👉 https://patreon.com/keetria

About My Work

I’m a Creative Coach, artist, and host of SOB: Style of Business – The Podcast. My work blends creativity, mindset, and intentional living — supporting creatives who want to trust their vision and create from a grounded place.

🌎 Website: https://keetria.com

📩 Business Inquiries: info@keetria.com

Thanks for tuning in! Connect on IG  or visit Keetria.com

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Before we get started, the Vision Alignment Blueprint is now available on Gum Road for creative, seeking clarity and alignment. You'll find the link in the show notes. And one more thing I want to share. If you want a boost for your mind and your body, I have been really enjoying cannibalics. The rise and grind daily drops in the morning, the deeply rested sleep drops at night, and the soothing freeze gel whenever I need it. You can check out the links to the products in the show notes. Hey, what's up, y'all? Thanks so much for tuning in and checking out today's chat. And today I want to talk about something that is very important when it comes to doing something new for the first time, whether it be switching career fields, moving across the country, or even stepping into your creative endeavor without any background as to what that is going to look like for you. You don't know how it's going to go. You just know it's something that you want to do. And oftentimes we run into that barrier of allowing the fear to control us. And one of the things I specifically want to discuss is how we can actually reframe that and to make it as comfortable as we can while still moving forward with the action steps needed. And I know most times we look at fear as, you know, being something that is uncomfortable. And most times it is. I know for me, like, you know, I've talked myself out of things in the past, opportunities, just because the fear that immobilizes you when it comes to stepping into the unknown, because, you know, we don't know what to expect. You know, is this gonna work out? Is this gonna be worth my time? You know, what if people laugh? What if, you know, it it doesn't meet my expectations? And the thing is, like, we don't know what that's gonna look like until we actually step into it. So that's why I want to talk about the importance of reframing fear to allow us to have those opportunities and eventually it's gonna end up leading us to the next step. And one of the things I have here is, you know, you look at fear as a means to an end. And when I say that, I mean if you think about being fearful, every time you've been fearful of something, that has, you know, and I'm speaking in terms of opportunities and ways that you could level up in life. And I know, you know, a lot of times we look at fear, like, say for instance, it was an opportunity it's an opportunity with within your job, your organization, and it's gonna require you to do different things that you haven't done before. And a lot of times we can talk ourselves out of opportunities and promotions because we don't know what that looks like. But what if you looked at it as an opportunity for you to not only progress and to learn, but actually for you to continue to move up to where you have done that thing so much that the fear is removed. Don't allow it to immobilize you. Allow that fear to be a catalyst. And yes, it's gonna be uncomfortable, but I think if we reframe it, that's what's gonna be most important. And to give you an example, like, you know, think about the first time that you drove a car or when you were trying to get your driver's license. The fear of being behind the wheel, I know it almost took me out. Like, just, you know, as a teenager, I can just remember just, okay, well, you know, you got the drive, you got the park, you got all your gears, you know how to shift, you gotta know how to navigate the traffic. There's a lot that you have to learn, and you have to know how to go with the flow of the traffic in order to be a good driver. But the first time that you get behind the wheel, you don't know what you're doing, but you you're you're you're doing it. You're doing it afraid. And with the help of your instructor and the people who are helping you learn how to drive, eventually you get to the point where you what? You get your driver's license or your permit first. And then after you get your permit, you get your license. And that itself is you you're getting to where you need to go. So you start with the permit, then you get your license, you're making progress, and before you know it, you've been driving what, how many years? Like you, you've you've been on the road long enough to be a veteran. You know what you're doing, you know when to slow down, you know how to go with this the flow of traffic, you know when you need to, you know, make a right, a left. You know what the lights mean, you know, you know what the signals mean. So when you allow yourself to step into an opportunity, even if you're afraid, that's going to be the turning point of you making the progress to where eventually you'll get to the point when you're you're not afraid. I know public speaking is a huge one for a lot of people, just getting in front of an audience and talking. I mean, even for me, like right now, sometimes when I'm in front of the camera, it can be fearful, but I show up and I do it anyway. And as time progresses, I can trust that I will come across with more clarity, you know, more direct and more effective with the the chats and things like that that I'm given because I have done it even in and through the fear. I've allowed that to come through me. I've accepted it, but it's not gonna stop me from reaching my goal because it's, I mean, when you at the end of the day, what is fear? You know, it's just something that you you're not familiar with. The more you become familiar with the action of that thing, it's going to get to the point where it's not, it'll no longer be a fear for you. It'll be second nature. So just food for thought, you know, another way to look at fear, just know it's it's not gonna harm you. It's not gonna harm you. Only thing it's gonna do is gonna build you up into the character that you are stepping into so that you can progress and proceed towards your goals. So I hope that helps someone. Appreciate you guys tuning in. If you have not already subscribed, feel free to subscribe to the channel. And I definitely look forward to catching you guys in the next chat.

SPEAKER_00 6:11

Thanks for hanging out with us here on SOB. We hope this episode has been resourceful. If you'd like to check out the latest articles or follow Twitter's website update, just log on to Twitter.com or follow her on Twitter at O T R I O.