Fear

Hi! My name is Fear. I’m the feeling you get when your heart beats fast and your tummy feels like it has butterflies. I am the feeling that helps you be careful and stay safe from things that might be dangerous.

I visit when you see a big, barking dog you don't know, making you want to step back. I might show up on the first day of school, making you hold a grown-up's hand a little tighter because everything is new. Sometimes I'm there during a loud thunderstorm, making you want to hide under the covers where it's safe.

When I visit, it doesn't mean you have to stop. You can take a big, slow breath to calm your body down. You can also talk to a grown-up about why you feel me. Being brave doesn't mean I'm gone; it just means you're doing something even though I'm there with you.

Even though I can feel a little strange, I'm one of your body's super-helpers. I'm like an alarm bell that says, 'Pay attention!' I help you learn what is safe and what isn't, so you can grow up strong, smart, and careful. I am always learning with you, and my story still matters because I am here to help you.