How to face your fears- Anya Sachs

Today was Thursday, which means that it was Bigwater Beatdown Thursday at keeners. This day is all about challenging yourself, and urging yourself to step out of your comfort zone and face your fears. However, that can be pretty hard to do. Whether you're about to talk in front of a room full of people, or run a big rapid, it's normal to feel nervous. But it's important to not let that uneasiness take over your mind and dictate the choices that you make. The first step to facing your fears, is acknowledging that they're there. If you deny the fact that you're afraid, then you'll just become frustrated with yourself and not get anywhere. After this, you should ask yourself what exactly is making you feel afraid. For example, if you're running a rapid, what part of the rapid scares you and why. Then, imagine the different outcomes in the future. Is the worst case scenario really going to be that bad? And if it is, what are the odds of that happening anyways? Lastly, imagine yourself giving in to your fear and walking away from the situation. Compare this to you facing your fear, and following your ambition. The choice is yours.