A Blissful Life 5/27/25: Staying Centered When Others Project Fear
It can be one of the most subtle emotional dynamics we encounter: someone we love, with the best intentions, voices a concern, a doubt, a fear, and suddenly, we are carrying it. Their anxiety becomes ours. Their hesitation clouds our clarity. It’s especially challenging when the person projecting fear is someone close to us, such as a parent, a sibling, a partner, or a long-time friend. Their voices are loud, not because they are unkind, but because they are familiar.
So how do we stay grounded in our truth when the people around us, especially those we care about, are moving from fear? It begins with remembering this: you are allowed to hold a different perspective, even from people you love.
It’s natural to want reassurance, approval, and shared understanding with those we’re close to. But sometimes, what we’re called to do in our own life– take a leap, change directions, choose rest, move forward– will trigger fear in someone else. Not because you’re wrong, but because they haven’t yet made peace with uncertainty.
Fear is often disguised as concern. It can sound like: “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” “What if it doesn’t work out?” “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” And sometimes, it’s even more subtle– an anxious look, a change of tone, a hesitation that lingers in the air.
When someone speaks from fear, they are often projecting their own unprocessed experiences. Their past disappointments, their need for control, or even their love for you can be the root of their worry. Recognizing this can help you depersonalize it. Their fear is theirs, and it’s not your job to carry it.
So how do you stay open and loving, without absorbing that fear?
Start by grounding in your own center. Develop practices that return you to yourself, like daily movement, breathwork, journaling, meditation, and being in nature. These are not luxuries, they’re lifelines. When you’re in touch with your own intuition and nervous system, you become far less likely to absorb someone else’s emotional weather.
It’s also important to practice energetic boundaries. You can be present with someone’s emotions without internalizing them. This might look like listening without rushing to
reassure or explain. It might mean silently repeating, “This is their fear, not mine,” as you hold space for them. If needed, it’s okay to gently say: “I hear that this is hard for you, and I’m being really mindful not to take on anyone else’s fear right now.”
You don’t have to argue or defend your choices. You simply need to stay connected to what’s true for you. And often, the people who care about you will adjust. They’ll see your strength, and they’ll respect your peace. And even if they don’t, you’ll be living from integrity.
Sometimes, part of loving someone is accepting that they may never fully understand your path. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t love them. It means you get to love them from a place of compassion and discernment, rather than entanglement.
Finally, remember that fear isn’t inherently bad, it just needs direction. Sometimes, when a loved one shares their fear, it’s an opportunity for you to offer calm reassurance– not to change your decision, but to model what it looks like to trust yourself.
You’re not here to carry everyone else’s fear, you’re here to live from your own light. Hold that with gentleness, and trust that your inner knowing will lead you where you’re meant to go, even if others don’t see it yet!
Join us at Ocean Bliss Yoga for yoga classes, mat Pilates, sound baths, and more! Check out our schedule and sign up at oceanblissyoga.net. Call or text me with any questions at 917-318-1168!