Each of us has found ourselves in a situation where fear paralyzed us. Whether it was anxiety about the unknown, uncertainty about the future, or an unpleasant memory that haunts us. Fear is a fascinating emotion - on one hand, it protects us from danger, but on the other hand, it can limit us and prevent us from moving forward.
Each of us has at some point been paralyzed by fear. Whether it was fear of the unknown, uncertainty about the future, or an unpleasant memory that keeps haunting us. Fear is a fascinating emotion – on one hand, it protects us from danger; on the other, it can limit us and stop us from moving forward. As children, we dealt with fear daily. We learned how to face it, how to work through it. Fear showed up when we were afraid to speak in front of the class, when we explored new environments, when we learned to ride a bike, or stood in front of our first big decision. But as we grow, some fears change. It’s not just about climbing a tree anymore — it’s about standing in front of colleagues and defending our opinion. Handling job interviews. Facing new challenges.
Have you ever asked yourself: what is my fear trying to tell me? Fear isn’t just an enemy. It’s a signal. It tells us where we feel vulnerable, where we feel uncertain, and what truly matters to us. Sometimes it even helps us move forward — if we learn to listen.
There was a time when low-cost airlines didn’t yet exist, and flying was an experience in itself. I had a few unpleasant encounters, but one of them left a deep mark.
I was at the airport in London. Due to severe weather, flights were being canceled one after another. There was chaos, stress, and tension. After ten hours of waiting, they finally announced that my flight to Prague was cleared for takeoff. Everything seemed normal until we approached landing. The weather was terrible, and the turbulence was strong. The pilot attempted to land but aborted at the last moment and took off again. On the second attempt, the same thing happened.
On the third try, the pilot finally landed successfully. I was overwhelmed with fear. In my head, thoughts raced: We won’t make it. We’re going to die. Many passengers cried — this time not out of fear, but from sheer relief. I couldn’t stand up. My legs were so stiff with fear that it took a while before I could even get out of my seat.
That experience left a deep imprint. Flying became a massive source of stress for me. Before every flight, I had to use the restroom multiple times, my heart would race, I’d feel nauseous. I even enrolled in a "Fear of Flying" course run by Czech Airlines. It was fascinating to meet people with similar fears and hear their stories. The course aimed to explain, rationally, why flying is safe. We even flew to Amsterdam and back, got a behind-the-scenes look at the crew and how things work in-flight.
And still — it didn’t help. I continued to work with myself on a rational level, I explained things logically, and I understood everything... but it didn’t change how I felt.
Then, during one return flight, my father-in-law asked me a simple question: "Why do you fly, when it causes you such suffering?" And I answered: "Because I don’t want to be limited by this fear."
I had to go much deeper and uncover the root of my fear. I realized that the biggest problem for me wasn’t flying itself — it was losing control.I couldn’t influence what would happen. I couldn’t keep things under control. And that was my real struggle.
What If Fear Isn’t an Enemy, but a Teacher?
There are many situations in life we can’t control. But we can control how we respond to them.
- When we understand our fear, we stop submitting to it.
- When we recognize what's behind our worries, we can begin to work with them.
- When we accept that some things are simply beyond us, we can begin to let go.
The goal isn’t to never feel fear - but to understand it and learn to work with it.
What Helped Me Overcome Fear?
- Self-awareness – Understanding what truly lies at the core of my fear.
- Rationalization – Realizing what I can and cannot influence.
- Limiting the influence of fear - Choosing not to let fear dictate my decisions.
- Inner work - Accepting that every fear takes time and care to overcome.
Looking back, I see how much fear has taught me. It taught me to seek solutions, to embrace uncertainty, and to keep going - even when it’s hard.
What Did This Experience Teach Me?
Fear shouldn’t be something that stops us. It shows us where our boundaries are, where we feel uncertain - and where we have space to grow. If we start viewing fear as something that can help us better understand ourselves, it becomes a powerful tool in our hands.
Fear is not weakness. Weakness is letting it control us.
And what about you? What fear have you had to face? What situations have pushed you to grow?