From Fear to Confidence: Moving Beyond Resistance
Allowing ourselves to be seen can be one of the hardest things we do. Sharing the work of our hearts stirs something deep within us—an uncomfortable vulnerability that tells us we’re safer staying small, quiet, and hidden.
I know this feeling well. After more than fifteen years in marketing, I knew how to build strategies, analyze data, and create impactful campaigns. But when it came time to market myself—to step forward with my own voice and challenge convention—sharing my voice felt vulnerable in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
It’s one thing for a corporation to market itself, but as a solo entrepreneur or small business, marketing feels personal. Your work is an extension of who you are, and for many of us, putting yourself out there means stepping into that uncomfortable feeling of being truly seen. It’s brave—and it can feel daunting.
Understanding Resistance: The Voice That Holds Us Back
Steven Pressfield, in The War of Art, describes resistance as a force that rises whenever we dare to step into our creative power or pursue something meaningful. It shows up as self-doubt, procrastination, or fear disguised as practicality. I’ve come to see resistance as a protection mechanism—a voice trying to keep us safe by holding us back.
Here’s the paradox: resistance isn’t always a stop sign. Sometimes, it’s a signal that you’re moving toward something meaningful. The key is learning to separate fear from intuition, so you can step forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Finding Your Inner Compass: The Difference Between Fear and Intuition
When we step out of our comfort zones, resistance naturally arises. The key is to acknowledge the fear without letting it take control. Trusting your intuition allows you to move forward, one steady step at a time.
Learning to separate fear from intuition is a practice—one of tuning into yourself and recognizing your own internal markers. It takes time and patience, but these distinctions can guide you:
Fear is loud; Intuition is quiet.
Fear clamors for your attention, drowning your mind with noise and creating a sense of chaos. Intuition speaks softly, offering calm clarity and direction.Fear creates urgency; Intuition allows patience.
Fear pressures you to act quickly, sparking panic and the need to fix things now. Intuition gives you room to breathe, letting decisions unfold naturally.Fear fixates on failure; Intuition focuses on possibility.
Fear keeps you stuck in doubt, imagining everything that could go wrong. Intuition finds creative opportunities, helping you move forward.Fear thrives on judgment; Intuition encourages alignment.
Fear frets What will people think? and drives perfectionism. Intuition guides you toward what feels true to you, regardless of outside opinions.Fear feels heavy; Intuition feels light.
Fear weighs on you, creating tension and discomfort. Intuition feels like ease, even if the next step isn’t perfectly clear.
Stepping Into Visibility
Overcoming the fear of being seen isn’t about silencing your resistance; it’s about understanding it and choosing to act anyway. It’s about learning to trust your intuition as the guiding force in your marketing—and your life.
The more you practice showing up, the more comfortable it becomes. And with each step you take, you’ll discover that being seen doesn’t just help you connect with your audience—it helps you connect with yourself.
