Vanishing Monoliths
There is a curious comfort in resisting change. By holding fast to the known, we safeguard ourselves from a potentially unsettling rush of new possibilities. Change is thrilling and terrifying: dreams of change can lock us into a perpetual state of longing without action. We want transformation. Yet the very idea can leave us paralyzed.
It’s not failure we fear. We agonize over the unknown future that success promises to thrust upon us. We fear success not for what it is, but for what it asks of us.
Success challenges the identity we’ve carefully constructed from what we believe to be our limitations. It demands a redefinition of self. A shift in perspective. The kind of vulnerability that requires courage. Failure, in contrast, offers us an escape back into the comfort of the familiar, of the known.
“What if I succeed, and I am no longer who I thought I was?” There’s a reason we don’t talk much about the fear of success as we contemplate new beginnings. It is an unsettling shift in our sense of self, a shift we are primed to resist.
Yet, to resist change is to remain trapped within a self-imposed prison. Transformation is the very marrow of life. But how do we embrace it? How do we move past the inertia of fear? How do we step into the life we desire?
Fear, at its core, is only a feeling, a shadow that shifts with the passing of time. What shapes us is not the presence of fear, but how we respond to it. Change, by nature, disrupts the balance we have spent years cultivating—the comfort of routine, the certainty of the familiar. Yet it is the essence of growth.
When we allow fear to dictate our choices, we tell stories of limitation. We convince ourselves that success is beyond us. We tell ourselves we are unworthy of it. This narrative chains us to thoughts that hold us back.
What if, instead of fearing change, we took it as our cue to grow?
The first step, then, is simple: accept fear, but do not let it dictate your path. Fear is a messenger, nothing more, alerting us to something new. Receive the message, acknowledge it and release it as you move forward.
Break the task of change into small, manageable steps. Stop confronting the monolith. Focus on the next action, no matter how small: a single decision, a habit to form, a conversation to have. Momentum is a powerful antidote to fear. Each step brings us closer to shaping our future.
Next, consider what success truly means to you. Too often, our sense of success is chosen for us: wealth, status, perfection. But true success is about our own alignment. Shape your actions to reflect your values. Find meaning in what rings true to your heart. When we redefine success on our own terms, we strip from it the weight of expectation.
Imposter syndrome may forever whisper in our ear, as it does for anyone striving to succeed. The ones who keep moving forward despite self-doubt ultimately claim victory: by persisting, we reshape our own belief in who we are. Take note of your progress, no matter how minor. Each accomplishment is a testament to your resolve.
Finally, practice mindfulness. Meet fear with compassion, not judgment. Sit with it. Acknowledge its presence without rushing to dismiss it. Embrace fear with curiosity, and it will vanish.
Transformation is not a single event, but a process of breaking boundaries we have set for ourselves. What fear, if confronted, could change your life’s trajectory? Choose a small step today—a decision, a conversation, a shift in mindset—and begin the journey out of the comfort zone and into your future. The only true failure is not to try at all.