ask the therapist

Managing Fear in Times of Chaos

Karen Kaye, LMHC

Q: Dear Karen Kaye, I have noticed lately that I am usually in a state of fear over something: the pandemic, the economy, the government, the weather, and issues in my own life. Please advise me on how to stop my fears. Sincerely, Sam

A:Dear Sam, My first thought is never try to stop fear. Stopping, resisting or avoiding fear will only make fear grow. It is like a science experiment: whatever you push down will gain mass and volume. There are good reasons for fear. Fear can act as an indicator that it is time to wake up and notice something painful. Fear can also tell us when we are going the wrong way. In fact, when we don’t listen to our gut about our fears, we can get into accidents, marry the wrong person and make poor decisions. So, it is what we do with the fear, Sam, that matters most. Some people overreact; some people underreact; and some avoid fear altogether.

I know, personally, as a conscious being living in a still unconscious world, awareness can be both a blessing and a curse. It is important though that all the “hype” does not fall in on us and make us feel helpless and hopeless. Therefore, take the time (sometimes with a therapist) to identify exactly what your fear is now and what it is stemming from, since all humans have certain emotional patterns. Keep rearranging, prioritizing and facing each fear individually so that the quantity of potential fears doesn’t overwhelm you. Then, create a plan of how to take a step forward through the fear. You will be amazed what even the smallest movement will accomplish by facing your fears.

As you address your fears, your energy will shift and you will be one less person on the planet in fear. This has a huge effect in changing the resonance of the planet! Do not take on the world’s fears until you have handled your own, one–byone. The goal is not to be fearless. Fearless is “cocky” and unconscious and won’t get the job done. It is in these moments of chaos that we see whether our choices will allow us to

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All the best, Karen L. Kaye, LMHC

Remember, on a spiritual level we adhere to the philosophy that everything happens for a reason…out of the bad comes good. It takes time. Currently accepting new clients, sessions take place via telehealth to ensure safety. If you are interested in scheduling a session, call 954-384-1217 or email KarenKayeCares@bellsouth.net. See ad page 29.