Why You Should Not Choose Fear

Let me tell you a secret…

Before I moved to Lesotho in 2019, I couldn’t sleep for a whole month.

It was my first time traveling to the African continent, to a country I didn’t know anything about, leaving behind my life in Berlin to a future I couldn’t even envision (due to the lack of actual information you can find about Lesotho online).

By MYSELF.

My only source of information was the previous volunteer of my project and a weird vlog that I found on YouTube.

I never had a single doubt about going to Lesotho.

From the first moment of finding out about the project to making the actual decision — I knew I this is what I wanted, what I needed. And that it was the right time.

I always thought: even if it doesn’t work out — then I at least tried. But I will never know if I don’t do go.

I desperately needed change. A shift of perspective.

Doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared.

Doesn’t mean it was easy.

But easy was not what I was wanted; it was growth.

Unfortunately, Germans hold a lot of negative stereotypes about Africa. While they’ve never been there themselves or talked to a person from the continent.

If I had listened to what people around me said; I would have probably never went.

But I didn’t listen — because I made the decision before I told anyone about it.

Because I had this grounded inner assurance that I’m on the right path.

Because I made sure that all the necessary things and systems were in place in order for me to go. And of course, because of the support I could count on.

But yeah, I clearly remember how one month before my departure date, I laid awake at night thinking: what the fuck am I doing? What if everyone was right and it’s a bad idea to go?

Plus, I’m even afraid of flying lol

On the outside, I pretended I’m all good. Because I needed to be strong for myself.

And it turned out to be the most AMAZING experience of my life. It changed me forever and I returned to Europe as a different person; for the better.

And this fear of change was still there before I went abroad other times after (Denmark, Tanzania, Zanzibar, …)

Why am I telling you this?

Because fear is normal. It’s your body’s normal reaction towards change, trying to protect you and making sure you’re surviving.

As humans, we have the tendency to avoid change and stay within our comfort zone because honestly, change is scary as f***.

But the reward of overcoming your fear is priceless. Unimaginable, even in your wildest dreams.

Respect your fears, and acknowledge them as something that’s trying to protect you.

But you shouldn’t choose them over change, over love, over courage.