"I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed."

The essence of this quote is about embracing and accepting your fears, anxieties, or struggles rather than running away from them. By becoming 'friends' with the 'monster' under your bed, you're acknowledging that these fears exist and learning to coexist with them. It’s a metaphor for the internal battles we all face and the power that comes from confronting them instead of letting them control us.

This quote comes from a popular song by Eminem and Rihanna called "The Monster." The song deals with the artists' personal battles with mental health issues, fame, and the pressures that come with it. Eminem, in particular, has been open about his struggles with addiction, depression, and his journey to recovery. In the song, the 'monster' symbolizes these personal demons. By saying he's friends with the monster, he's acknowledging his issues and learning to live with them, rather than being consumed by them.

Think about a time when you had a huge fear or anxiety—maybe it was public speaking, or perhaps it was something more personal, like the fear of failure. I remember this one time, my friend Jane had a crippling fear of flying. She would break into a sweat just thinking about getting on a plane. But she had to fly for work. Instead of avoiding flights altogether, she decided to face her fear head-on. She learned about the mechanics of flying, started doing breathing exercises, and even talked to her doctor about her anxiety. Gradually, she became more comfortable with flying. She didn't eliminate her fear entirely, but she learned to manage it. She made friends with her monster.

If you're looking to apply this wisdom, start by identifying your 'monster.' What is it that's lurking under your bed? Once you know what you're dealing with, educate yourself about it. Knowledge is power. If it's a fear of public speaking, for instance, join a local Toastmasters club, take a public speaking course, or start small by practicing in front of a mirror. The more you understand your fear, the less intimidating it becomes.

Imagine you're about to give a big presentation at work. Your heart races, your palms get sweaty, and you can feel the anxiety rising. Instead of letting these feelings overwhelm you, take a deep breath and acknowledge them. Think, "Okay, I’m nervous. That’s natural." Don’t try to push the anxiety away; instead, accept that it’s there. Maybe even have a little conversation with it—sounds weird, but it works. Say, "Hey, I know you're there, and it's okay. We're going to get through this together."

Once, when I was in college, I had a huge fear of talking to professors. They seemed so intimidating and unapproachable. My grades started to slip because I was too scared to ask for help. One day, I decided enough was enough. I scheduled office hours with one of my professors. I was a nervous wreck, but I went in prepared. I confessed my fear and you know what? The professor was incredibly understanding. We had a great conversation, and I felt so much better afterward. That monster under my bed lost a lot of its power that day.

Remember, the goal isn’t to be fearless. It’s to not let fear control your life. By acknowledging and accepting your fears, you take away their power. You learn to coexist with them, and in doing so, you become stronger. So, make friends with your monster. It’s a part of you, and it might just have something valuable to teach you.