This morning I sat thinking that I forgotten something. Then suddenly I paled and realized that I forgot to post one of my articles here for Owning Pink, still brooding on the other! I immediately got taken over by all sorts of fears with my inner critic running rampant -- telling me how worthless I was for forgetting, and how I should be ashamed, and how I'm not really a writer. I just sat there and listened to that voice, just listening, not feeling. Then I smiled.

Defeat is not an option

In that moment I decided to make a change. Instead of letting my inner critic take me by the collar, I thanked my fears for popping up because they helped me to realize how much I have let myself be limited by them. How I have missed countless opportunities for growth by giving into them, and how I kept that amazing light inside of me from shining. (And because they gave me the inspiration for this post!)

I decided to choose a mojo-filled, free and fearless life. I opened the draft window for this post and decided to say goodbye to my fear in the only way imaginable for me: through writing. 

Write your way out of fear

It was immediately clear to me I needed to write a letter. At the same time a lot of thoughts popped up -- what if people ridicule me for what I'm about to say? What if someone thinks I'm crazy? I laughed and began writing. (And if I can do it, so can you!)

Dear fear, 

It's time to say goodbye to you. You have been a companion on my path for such a long time that I have forgotten what it's like to live without you. I have forgotten how it is to live without your constant nagging, your ridicule and the way you freeze my muscles when I am about to break through you. 

You have helped me through some difficult situations, I admit that, but through it all you have done me more harm than good. 

So I am setting you free. I am letting all of your energy turn into the brightest pink, into joyful bubbles of love and kindness and compassion. I am turning your energy into something positive for the world, something that may help others to do the very same. 

Because letting you go in this way sets you free as well. Letting you go this way keeps you from having to hold onto all my past regrets for me, all my past guilts and obsessions. It's all behind me, I can't change it, and won't change it. Because all of those things brought me here. And you know what? I am smiling now. 

So go on, fear, and be a joy and light for this world. I will live a happy, spirited life without you, living a path my soul carves out for me. 

With love, 

Sylvia

What writing this gave me

I can't even begin to describe to you all how I am feeling now. How it feels to have a weight lifted from my chest!

And now I can only encourage you to do the same, and to continue doing so. I know fear will come back, but now I know I can transform it into bubbles of joyful, bouncing pink -- and it's a joyful process to do so. 

Will you share your letter below, or tell us how it feels to write one privately? How else do you conquer, process, and work through your fear? How do communicate with your inner critic? 

Blessings, 

Sylvia