Sometimes fear holds me back.
I was traveling back home from NYC which involved two flights, an air tram from the airport, BART ride, and a Lyft home. It was a lot to navigate and both my brain and phone were dangerously low on battery.
Almost home! I walked down the BART stairs ready for the last step in my adventure back to comfort. And then it happened.
My worst fear of the moment was realized.
I went to beep myself out of the BART station and boom, my phone went black. Shoot. How do I get home?
I looked around and saw a person in the little glass help box.
“Hi, could I please charge my phone? I have a cable!”
“No - I can’t help you, sorry”
I stared at the giant outlet sitting right beside her.
“But that outlet, could I use it for a moment?”
“No - but there’s a McDonald’s down the street”
I’d had it. I was sleep deprived, it was getting dark, and I did not want to be walking around West Oakland at night.
I ran outside. No McDonalds anywhere. But the dim light of a gas station drew me in like a moth to a flame. I found a young man inside and got the same response.
“Sorry I can’t help you, I’m not allowed to let people charge”
I stared at a big hand written sign - NO OUTLETS AVAILABLE FOR CHARGING.
“Can you make an exception? I just need to call an Uber and get home”
He silently took my phone and started charging while I found myself a little corner in the gas station shop to read my book and people watch.
20 minutes later I was in a Lyft on my way home.
This situation of feeling stuck and like everything had gone wrong, was such a helpful reminder that everything works out in the end in one way or another.
Being faced with fear, and working through it (either by thinking through the worst scenario or living it), has a magical way of taking the power back that fear has stolen and opening up more space for adventure and possibility.
What’s a fear that’s been holding you back?
With love,
Sierra
🥰 Things I’m Loving
📚 - Book, The Four Hour Work Week. I’d forgotten how awesome this book is until I picked it up this week. It’s such a great reminder about what’s important in life (e.g relationships, health, experiencing new things) and outlines a plan for how to eliminate and automate work to free up time.
🎬 - Video, I Tried Andrew Huberman’s Daily Routine for 30 Days. You’ve probably heard of Andrew Huberman, the famous neuroscientist from Stanford who has a podcast called the Huberman Lab and is all over the internet. This video is a short example of Huberman’s recommended daily routine. I love the kid who made this.
📚 - Book, The Dance of Anger. If you haven’t read this book, don’t walk - run to get it. I recently gifted it to a friend, and I can not stress enough how much this book is an absolute game changer when it comes to improving intimate relationships.
Thank you for sharing ! What a journey! One obstacle after the next, and you kept going amidst your fear. You rock!
I have a fear of conflict. I have been actively working on being more vocal about my boundaries and feelings.
Usually, I avoid conflict because I fear escalation and hurting people’s feelings. When I avoid addressing things properly with people, I don’t feel truly authentic.
When I do practice articulating my feelings with others in regards to their actions, I feel much better. This communication releases feelings of resentment. Also, my communication has strengthened some of my relationships.
I am practicing being honest with my feelings with people in a loving and respectful manner.
Well done, Sierra! Focusing on what was needed and persevering until you found and inspired someone who could do think and act "outside the box." Way to not let the fear paralyze and exacerbate the situation. Great life-skill for all sitations! Thank you!!