rituals: an anecdote to fear
A list of common fears:
Fear of embarrassment
Fear of success
Fear of the unoriginal
Fear of expectations
Most importantly; Fear of the unknown
Ultimately, when we confront any fear, we attempt to control the uncontrollable.
Humans have been confronting the fear of the unknown for centuries. Ancient cultures would offer sacrifices to the gods to ensure a healthy harvest, a successful hunt, or victory in battle. They had little to no control over these outcomes, but rituals gave them the confidence to move forward despite this fear. We can use rituals in the same way.
Rituals provide security in the unknown.
Today, most people view rituals as silly superstitions. However, many people fail to understand that life-changing outcomes require us to dive head-first into the unknown. Creating simple rituals around our creative work can help us push back our fears and create more freely.
Sometimes, rituals mean creating small routines like tidying your desk or cleaning your kitchen. Often, rituals require us to remove distractions by unplugging the TV or hiding our phones.
Regardless, rituals always symbolize a dedication to pursuing the difficult.