How to Escape the Fear of Commitment
It may be hard, but it’s definitely worth the effort
Many people might fear commitment. They are scared of the thought of being tied to one person, place, or thing for an extended period of time.
Others may be so overwhelmed with life and responsibility that they do not have the mental energy to commit to anything else on top of all their other commitments.
But what if you could escape this nightmare? What if you didn’t have to worry about committing because it would never be an issue?
Well, fear no more because, in this article, we will be discussing ways to get through this nightmare and onto the other side by using effective strategies and methods.
“You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.” — Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Process
Commit to a specific, achievable goal.
When it comes to the fear of commitment, one of the best ways to get over it is to commit to a specific goal. This could be anything from running a marathon to learning how to play an instrument.
By having something concrete that you are working towards, you will no longer feel so overwhelmed and bogged down by all of your other commitments; you will now have one specific goal that is occupying your time and attention.
Break things down into smaller goals.
On top of committing to a specific goal, breaking that goal down into smaller goals can also be helpful. If your larger goal is too daunting or seems impossible, focusing on smaller goals can make it seem more manageable and more minor.
For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, your smaller goals would be first to learn how to train appropriately for it and then build up endurance. After a few small goals have been met, you can move on to the next phase of training and so on.
By breaking it down into smaller pieces, your anxiety will be eased because instead of being overwhelmed by one seemingly impossible goal, you are now focused on many, much more manageable tasks.
Complete one commitment at a time.
The best thing that you can do when overwhelmed by life or other commitments is focus all of your energy on just one single commitment.
By doing this, you remove the possibility of being stuck in the fear spiral where nothing gets done because you’re trying to fit too much into each day.
For example, if you have three tests tomorrow along with five essays due next week and four projects on top of that, try focusing solely on studying for those tests today, so they are out of the way before moving on writing those essays/projects tomorrow evening instead of trying to tackle them all simultaneously.
Talk about your commitment.
When it comes to the fear of commitment, talking openly and honestly about it can be beneficial. This allows you to understand why you feel this way and also lets others know that you are trying to work through this issue.
This could be done with a friend, family member, therapist, or any other support system that you may have in place. Talking openly and honestly is an excellent first step in getting past the fear of commitment.
In addition, by making communicating any commitments with friends or family members, they can hold you accountable for your goals which will make you more likely to follow through with them.
Commit to tasks that you enjoy and find fulfilling.
One of the best ways to get over the fear of commitment is to commit to tasks that you enjoy and find fulfilling. This could be anything from reading for pleasure every day to cooking a new dish each week.
By committing to tasks that bring you joy, you will no longer feel as though you are tied down or burdened by your commitments; instead, you will look forward to completing them each day.
Committing to someone else is not the same as committing to yourself.
It is important to note that committing to someone else is not the same as committing to yourself. When you commit to someone else, you are making a promise to them that you will be there for them and will support them through thick and thin.
But when you commit to yourself, you are making a promise to yourself that you will be there for YOU through thick and thin, no matter what life throws your way, and that is something worth fighting for.
Don’t commit too quickly without analyzing the situation first.
Take time for introspection and reflection before making any decisions or commitments. Make sure that you really want to commit to what it is before diving in headfirst.
For example, if someone asks you to get drinks after work this coming Saturday, give yourself a day or two of thinking time beforehand so that when the date comes around, you will be ready and excited for whatever may happen next.
Take time for yourself every day.
It is easy to become over-committed or unbalanced when responsibilities pile up around us.
We stop taking care of ourselves because we think that there isn’t enough time left over after everything else has taken priority, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Taking some time out every day just for yourself is not only essential but necessary if you want to continue living your life without succumbing to stress and anxiety.
This could be anything from taking a relaxing bath to reading your favorite book for an hour. The key is to do something that makes you happy and helps you relax, something that allows you to forget about everything else for a little while.
Never forget the end goal.
If you’re feeling scared of commitment, consider how it might improve your life in the long run. Notice that even if things do not go according to plan, you will still be better off for having tried.
At the end of it all, committing is just part of life and something that everyone experiences at some point or another. So take a deep breath and tackle your fear head-on without mercy.
“Commitment is an act, not a word.” — Jean-Paul Sartre
Summary
In conclusion, talking openly and honestly about the fear of commitment, making commitments to tasks that you enjoy, and committing to someone else are all excellent ways to get past this fear.
However, taking time for yourself every now and then is essential if you want to avoid succumbing to stress or burnout and focus on the end goal. Even if things do not go according to plan, you will still be better off for having tried. Good luck!
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Originally published at implementationofwisdom.com
This post was inspired by and researched on: https://www.healthline.com
This content is for informational purposes only. It was not created to be a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Not all information will be accurate. Consider consulting with a professional or a specialist.
