Facing Your Fears: How to Decide, How to Cope, and Why It Matters: Fear is a normal part of life, but not every fear needs to be conquered. This week, Lily and I explore how to tell when a challenge is worth it and when it is perfectly fine to give yourself a break. We share personal stories, like Lily’s recent blood test and my own flying anxiety, and dig into why having a choice and an exit plan can make all the difference.
You will learn:

• How to know the difference between healthy fear and unnecessary pressure
• Why having an exit plan or a “way out” can make scary things less daunting
• The importance of knowing your “why” before taking on a challenge
• How anticipatory anxiety often feels worse than the actual event
• When it is okay to walk away from something that does not matter to you
• Why repetition and gentle exposure can help reduce anxiety
• How every small win builds confidence for the next challenge
• The power of self-compassion and permitting yourself not to do everything

Key Takeaways
You Always Have a Choice
Facing your fears is about feeling empowered, not pressured. You get to decide which challenges matter to you.
Anticipatory Anxiety is Often Worse Than the Event
Worrying about something can consume more energy than actually doing it. Getting to the other side often brings relief.
Exit Plans Help
Knowing you have the control to leave or change your mind makes it easier to try new things.
Not Every Fear Needs to Be Faced
If the outcome does not matter to you, you don't need to face that thing.
Celebrate Every Win
Every time you face a fear, no matter how small, you build resilience and confidence for the next challenge.

• Watch the video of this episode at the blog: https://jodiaman.com/blog/face-your-fears/
• Lily's Instagram @c.lily_aman and TikTok @c.lilyaman
• Dr. Jodi Aman’s YouTube Channel: @DoctorJodi
• Generation Z Mental Health Resource Guide: jodiaman.com/guide
• Redirect Positive Mindset Cards jodiaman.com/order-redirect-flash-cards
• EnCompass SEL Class Activity jodiaman.com/order-encompass-game
• Anxiety, I'm So Done with You! Book

Thank you so much for listening to Ask Dr. Jodi! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  

You’re listening to the Ask Dr. Jodi - Mental Health & Relationship Advice with Jodi Aman.

Sign up for text updates, where you can ask me your private questions! Text JODI to 8334583845 to get in the group.
 

Want personalized coaching on the show? Sign up to be a call-in guest at jodiaman.com/live

Remember, you can join me live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern on YouTube, @doctorjodi, where you can ask your questions in real time.

👉👉Get on the list to get reminders about the show, including the topic for the week. PLUS, receive my Gen Z Mental Health Resource Guide here: jodiaman.com/live.  Let's keep building a stronger, happier generation!

Contact Doctor Jodi:

• Website: jodiaman.com

• TikTok: @doctorjodi

• YouTube: @doctorjodi

• Instagram: @doctorjodiaman

About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.

You’ll discover that your brain is not broken...that, whatever you are feeling, it is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And we're here to help.

We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, and act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.

I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much  more  amazing than you think you are by building your confidence and accelerating your healing journey.

We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.