During the Halloween season we see and hear a lot of spooky stuff. The season encourages us to face our fears. How can we face our fears not just now but any time?

Why Courage Matters More Than Confidence

Fear is something we all experience. Maybe yours shows up before a class presentation, when walking into a new friend group, trying out for a team, posting your art online, or speaking up for what you believe in. Fear isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you care. The real question isn’t “How do I get rid of fear?” but rather “What do I do with it?”

Here’s a truth most people don’t talk about: courage isn’t the absence of fear—courage is choosing to move forward even while you’re afraid.

Why Do We Feel Fear?

Fear is actually your brain’s way of trying to protect you. Back in ancient times, it kept humans safe from danger. Today, though, our fears are less about wild animals and more about:

  • Failing a test

  • Being judged

  • Rejection

  • Embarrassment

  • Not being “enough”

These fears feel real because they are tied to our identities—how we see ourselves and how others see us. But if we avoid everything that scares us, we also avoid growth. Fear can either box you in or help you break through to something better.

The Power of Doing Things Scared

Think of your favorite athletes, creators, entrepreneurs, or leaders. Do you think they were fearless from the start? Not a chance. They chose courage.

  • Beyoncé still gets stage fright.

  • Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.

  • JK Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers.

  • Steve Jobs got fired from the company he founded.

They felt fear—and did it anyway.

School Is a Training Ground for Courage

Every day gives you little opportunities to practice bravery:

Fear Courage Looks Like
Speaking in class Sharing your opinion once today
Meeting new people Saying “hi” to someone new
Failure Trying again after a mistake
Rejection Going for opportunities anyway
Judgment Being yourself even if others don’t get it

When you push yourself a little each day, your comfort zone expands. What once felt terrifying becomes no big deal.

5 Steps to Face Your Fear

Here’s a simple way to challenge your fear without feeling overwhelmed:

  1. Name It
    Write down exactly what you’re afraid of. Fear shrinks when you put words to it.

  2. Ask “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?”
    You’ll usually realize it’s not as bad as your brain makes it seem.

  3. Break It Down
    Take one tiny step toward the fear. Big courage is built from small actions.

  4. Reframe It
    Replace “What if I fail?” with “What if I grow?”

  5. Celebrate Progress
    Every step counts. Be proud every time you choose courage over comfort.

Your Future Self Is Waiting

Imagine your life one year from now. Do you want to be in the same place—or do you want to be stronger, braver, and more confident?

Your future self is built by the choices you make today.

  • Say yes to opportunities.

  • Try even when you might fail.

  • Speak even when your voice shakes.

  • Keep going even when it’s scary.

Courage is a skill—and the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Final Thought

Fear may whisper “you can’t,” but courage answers, “watch me.”
You don’t have to feel ready—you just have to be willing.

So go for it. Your dreams are on the other side of fear.