On the Other Side of Fear Is Freedom

2 Jan

Written By Alice Matthews

Choosing Freedom, One Step at a Time

Fear doesn’t always shout.
Sometimes it whispers.

It sounds like:

“Now isn’t the right time.”
“I’ll do it when I feel more confident.”
“What if it doesn’t work out?”
“What if I lose what I already have?”

Fear keeps us still, not because we’re incapable, but because the unknown feels unsafe.

And yet… every meaningful change sits on the other side of it.

Fear Isn’t the Enemy, It’s the Gatekeeper

Fear of flying.
Fear of being seen.
Fear of public speaking.
Fear of failing.
Fear of succeeding.
Fear of being alone.
Fear of staying stuck, but also fear of leaving.

I see it everywhere, in relationships that have quietly expired but are held onto because something feels better than nothing.
In jobs that drain the life out of people who tell themselves they’re too old, too late, or too dependent on the income to leave.
Even in weight loss, confidence, or personal growth, fear of the unknown can stop us before we even begin.

But here’s the thing: fear is not truth.
It’s a collection of thoughts, memories, and protective patterns that once served a purpose, and now might be keeping you rooted in a place you were meant to leave a long time ago.

The Cocoon Moment

A butterfly doesn’t leave the cocoon because it’s comfortable.
It leaves because staying becomes more painful than changing.

And that moment, when it’s tight, uncomfortable, even frightening, is often the moment before transformation.

I know this because I’ve lived it. I’ve done many things in my life that scared the hell out of me. And every single time I pushed through, what waited on the other side wasn’t disaster, it was freedom.

Not the absence of fear… but the absence of being ruled by it.

What If You Didn’t Have to Do This Alone?

This is why I created Fearless New Beginnings. If you live in Cornwall, this could be perfect for you.

A one-day retreat designed to gently, safely, and compassionately help you look at what’s holding you back, without forcing, pushing, or overwhelming you.

If fear is even stopping you from coming to something like this, then please know: you are exactly who this space is for.

From the very beginning, we’ll be using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques / tapping) to help your nervous system feel calm and safe in the space. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.

We’ll work together through:

EFT practices to release fear at its root
Journaling to bring hidden fears into the light
Mindset work to gently challenge the stories keeping you stuck
Meditation to reconnect you with a sense of inner safety

If some fears feel too big, we go gently, like peeling the layers of an onion, one layer at a time. You stay in control, always.

And slowly, something shifts.
Clarity appears.
Breath deepens.
And you begin to see that freedom is closer than you thought.

And Then… You Let Your Body Integrate

At the end of the day, you’ll spend time in the Sensory Spa Garden, allowing your body to integrate the emotional work:

Hot tub
Sauna
Ice bath (optional, for the brave!)

This is where insight settles into your nervous system, not just your mind.

Fearless New Beginnings — The Details

Where: Chapel House, Penzance
When: Saturday 31st January, 10am – 2pm
Who: A women-only space for this workshop, designed to be safe and supportive. Mixed-group workshops will be announced in my newsletter.
Group Size: Maximum of 6 people to ensure personal attention.

This retreat can follow on beautifully from Reset and Restore, but it is also a powerful standalone experience.