Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Sep. 28, 2025
Blog post written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO of Best Life Therapy
Fear is something most people try to avoid, unless of course you are haunted house fan or a roller coaster enthusiast. Sometimes facing our fears can be exhilarating. White water rafting sounded terrifying to me after listening to the safety presentation. Listening to all of the possible risks is enough to heighten anyone's anxiety. People often avoid things that cause them to experience anxiety or fear. Simply being faced with an unpredictable situation is something that can spark fear and worry in someone. Fear can cause us to ask things like, “What if I fail?” It makes us doubt ourselves. But fear isn’t always bad. It’s a signal. It shows us what matters. Sometimes, fear even deceives us, making us doubt everything we know to be true. It can happen when we are in situations that matter to us.
Fear doesn’t mean stop—it means slow down and think. It helps us take things seriously, but it can also cause us to stay in our comfort zone and miss out on some wonderful opportunities. If you’re feeling afraid because you're unsure, it’s okay to wait and make decisions when, you are sure. Taking time to think can help you be intentional with what you are doing in life. Take some deep breaths while you think. Doing what’s best for you isn’t selfish—it’s smart.
Sometimes, after weighing the pros and cons, even when we’re scared, we might still feel like we need to make a choice. Failing to make a choice can keep us stuck in the familiar. Sometimes that can be good, other times we feel unhappy and desperately need a change. White water rafting was very scary, but it also ranked up there as being one of the most exciting days of my life! Some fears are worth facing.
Comfort Zones Feel Safe—But They Don’t Help Us Grow
Comfort zones are familiar. They feel safe and easy. But they don’t help us grow and change. Real growth happens just outside that zone—in the messy, awkward, and uncertain moments. That’s where we build strength and confidence.
As Brené Brown says,
“We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both.”
Courage means being honest, even when it’s hard. It means showing up as your real, authentic, self, even when you’re afraid. Being around people who care about us in a supportive environment can help us heal and grow. Leaving toxic workplaces or toxic relationships takes courage, but finally doing something that is good for you can bring peace.
Scary Goals Are Often the Most Important
The goals that make your stomach flip—the ones that feel too big or too bold—are often the ones that matter most. They’re not reckless. They’re proof that you’re growing. It takes courage to step out of that comfort zone. Those big goals truly can change your life.
Whether it’s starting something new, changing jobs, getting certified, or going back to college, the discomfort is part of the process. It means you’re stretching. It means you’re alive. Those are the kind of goals that truly can be life changing.
Starting a mental health group practice was something I never thought I would do. In fact, I hadn't even entertained the thought until October/November 2024. I vividly recall telling a counselor who I worked with in 2023 that I did not want to own a group practice. Things changed when I found myself feeling so incredibly limited as a solo therapist. I felt like I was unable to deliver enough services because there wasn't enough time in a day to help everyone. Turning people away when your entire career has been dedicated to helping people did not feel good. So, I set the scary goal in early 2025 to try to scale up and hire additional therapists. I'm pleased to reflect on that and to say that what started as a goal, became a reality. I am finally able to bring support on a larger scale, making a wider impact than I ever dreamt possible. That scary goal has been incredibly impactful to so many clients. I do believe that the only goals we regret setting...are the ones we never try to reach.
Why Some People Give Up—and Others Keep Going
It’s not about talent. It’s about mindset and support. People give up when:
- They fear failure and don't know how to bounce back.
- They believe they can’t grow or change.
- They have limited resources and feel stuck in toxic environments.
- They value comfort instead of taking risks, so they settle for “good enough.”
- Sometimes our mindset can get in the way, making it hard to set clear goals. If we think we won’t reach the goal, we might wonder why we should even try.
It is okay to be comfortable and to be unsure of what you want. If fear is causing you to stay in a situation you are not happy with, you might just need a little support. Talking to a therapist can help you address self-doubt and anxiety so you can sort some of those fears out, explore where the self-doubt came from and learn to believe in yourself.
What helps some people reach their goals while others do not attempt to try? Sometimes the following can help:
- Seeing failure as feedback - challenges are seen as opportunities to succeed.
- Believing effort leads to growth - knowing that effort is more important than outcome.
- Surrounding themselves with support - having a safe space to vent, seeking out encouragement and being able to ask for help.
- Chase meaning, not comfort - living in a way that is meaningful to you. Removing the word can't that stops you from trying.
- Know their “why” - Setting goals that have meaning and purpose in your life can make sticking to those goals much easier.
What is your why? What is meaningful to you? Thinking about our values and what is important to us can help us live our life with intention.
As a mental health practitioner, it is important to also add that barriers do exist for some people that prevent them from reaching goals they would like to reach. Serious mental health disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia and even bipolar disorder can impact a person's ability to live the life they want to live. Support can help them, but it is not always wanted. For some, it is more complicated that shifting your mindset and seeking out support.
Final Thoughts: Maybe You Can Do It
If you’re standing at the edge of something new, feeling scared but curious—know this: there is nothing wrong with you and you’re not broken. You’re growing. And growth can be hard. It takes time, effort, and courage. Being willing to step outside of the familiar to build something better—for themselves and for others is worth it! If you need support or guidance in reaching your goals, Best Life Therapy can help support you on your journey toward transformational change. If you need support, schedule your appointment on our website or call 810-771-3457.
- posted: Sep. 28, 2025
Blog post written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO of Best Life Therapy
Fear is something most people try to avoid, unless of course you are haunted house fan or a roller coaster enthusiast. Sometimes facing our fears can be exhilarating. White water rafting sounded terrifying to me after listening to the safety presentation. Listening to all of the possible risks is enough to heighten anyone's anxiety. People often avoid things that cause them to experience anxiety or fear. Simply being faced with an unpredictable situation is something that can spark fear and worry in someone. Fear can cause us to ask things like, “What if I fail?” It makes us doubt ourselves. But fear isn’t always bad. It’s a signal. It shows us what matters. Sometimes, fear even deceives us, making us doubt everything we know to be true. It can happen when we are in situations that matter to us.
Fear doesn’t mean stop—it means slow down and think. It helps us take things seriously, but it can also cause us to stay in our comfort zone and miss out on some wonderful opportunities. If you’re feeling afraid because you're unsure, it’s okay to wait and make decisions when, you are sure. Taking time to think can help you be intentional with what you are doing in life. Take some deep breaths while you think. Doing what’s best for you isn’t selfish—it’s smart.
Sometimes, after weighing the pros and cons, even when we’re scared, we might still feel like we need to make a choice. Failing to make a choice can keep us stuck in the familiar. Sometimes that can be good, other times we feel unhappy and desperately need a change. White water rafting was very scary, but it also ranked up there as being one of the most exciting days of my life! Some fears are worth facing.
Comfort Zones Feel Safe—But They Don’t Help Us Grow
Comfort zones are familiar. They feel safe and easy. But they don’t help us grow and change. Real growth happens just outside that zone—in the messy, awkward, and uncertain moments. That’s where we build strength and confidence.
As Brené Brown says,
“We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both.”
Courage means being honest, even when it’s hard. It means showing up as your real, authentic, self, even when you’re afraid. Being around people who care about us in a supportive environment can help us heal and grow. Leaving toxic workplaces or toxic relationships takes courage, but finally doing something that is good for you can bring peace.
Scary Goals Are Often the Most Important
The goals that make your stomach flip—the ones that feel too big or too bold—are often the ones that matter most. They’re not reckless. They’re proof that you’re growing. It takes courage to step out of that comfort zone. Those big goals truly can change your life.
Whether it’s starting something new, changing jobs, getting certified, or going back to college, the discomfort is part of the process. It means you’re stretching. It means you’re alive. Those are the kind of goals that truly can be life changing.
Starting a mental health group practice was something I never thought I would do. In fact, I hadn't even entertained the thought until October/November 2024. I vividly recall telling a counselor who I worked with in 2023 that I did not want to own a group practice. Things changed when I found myself feeling so incredibly limited as a solo therapist. I felt like I was unable to deliver enough services because there wasn't enough time in a day to help everyone. Turning people away when your entire career has been dedicated to helping people did not feel good. So, I set the scary goal in early 2025 to try to scale up and hire additional therapists. I'm pleased to reflect on that and to say that what started as a goal, became a reality. I am finally able to bring support on a larger scale, making a wider impact than I ever dreamt possible. That scary goal has been incredibly impactful to so many clients. I do believe that the only goals we regret setting...are the ones we never try to reach.
Why Some People Give Up—and Others Keep Going
It’s not about talent. It’s about mindset and support. People give up when:
- They fear failure and don't know how to bounce back.
- They believe they can’t grow or change.
- They have limited resources and feel stuck in toxic environments.
- They value comfort instead of taking risks, so they settle for “good enough.”
- Sometimes our mindset can get in the way, making it hard to set clear goals. If we think we won’t reach the goal, we might wonder why we should even try.
It is okay to be comfortable and to be unsure of what you want. If fear is causing you to stay in a situation you are not happy with, you might just need a little support. Talking to a therapist can help you address self-doubt and anxiety so you can sort some of those fears out, explore where the self-doubt came from and learn to believe in yourself.
What helps some people reach their goals while others do not attempt to try? Sometimes the following can help:
- Seeing failure as feedback - challenges are seen as opportunities to succeed.
- Believing effort leads to growth - knowing that effort is more important than outcome.
- Surrounding themselves with support - having a safe space to vent, seeking out encouragement and being able to ask for help.
- Chase meaning, not comfort - living in a way that is meaningful to you. Removing the word can't that stops you from trying.
- Know their “why” - Setting goals that have meaning and purpose in your life can make sticking to those goals much easier.
What is your why? What is meaningful to you? Thinking about our values and what is important to us can help us live our life with intention.
As a mental health practitioner, it is important to also add that barriers do exist for some people that prevent them from reaching goals they would like to reach. Serious mental health disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia and even bipolar disorder can impact a person's ability to live the life they want to live. Support can help them, but it is not always wanted. For some, it is more complicated that shifting your mindset and seeking out support.
Final Thoughts: Maybe You Can Do It
If you’re standing at the edge of something new, feeling scared but curious—know this: there is nothing wrong with you and you’re not broken. You’re growing. And growth can be hard. It takes time, effort, and courage. Being willing to step outside of the familiar to build something better—for themselves and for others is worth it! If you need support or guidance in reaching your goals, Best Life Therapy can help support you on your journey toward transformational change. If you need support, schedule your appointment on our website or call 810-771-3457.
We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Trauma
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- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan