"Qué diferencia hace si lo que te asusta es real o no"

Fear is a powerful thing. It doesn’t matter whether the monster under your bed is real or just in your imagination—the impact on you can be just as strong. Fear isn’t always rational. You can feel it in your bones, and it can change the way you act, even if there’s no logical reason for it.

Imagine a kid who’s terrified of the dark. There’s no real danger lurking in the shadows, but that doesn’t stop their heart from racing or their imagination from running wild with thoughts of ghosts and goblins. It’s all in their head, but the fear is as real as it gets. This idea is at the heart of the quote.

Take the Cold War era, for example. People were constantly afraid of nuclear annihilation. The threat was real, sure. But even small, everyday events could trigger intense fear and anxiety. Kids practiced duck-and-cover drills in schools, and families built bomb shelters in their backyards. The fear of an atomic attack, whether imminent or not, shaped an entire generation’s behavior and mindset.

Let’s think about a real-life scenario. Say you’re walking through a dark alley at night. You’re clutching your bag tightly, every sound makes your heart jump, and you keep looking over your shoulder. Now, maybe there’s no one there. Or maybe there is. The fear you feel changes how you act. You might walk faster, avoid certain areas, or even decide to only take well-lit streets in the future. Whether the threat is real or imagined, the fear has a tangible impact on your behavior.

So, how can we deal with this? First, recognize that your fear is valid. It’s okay to feel scared. But once you recognize it, try to assess it. Is the fear based on something tangible, or is it your mind playing tricks on you? Sometimes writing down what you’re scared of can help. Seeing it on paper can make it less overwhelming.

Take baby steps to face your fears. If you’re scared of public speaking, start small. Maybe talk in front of a mirror, then to a close friend, and slowly build your way up. Each step helps you realize that the fear, while powerful, doesn’t have to control you.

Imagine Sarah, a young woman who’s terrified of flying. She knows, logically, that air travel is one of the safest ways to get around. But every time she steps on a plane, her heart races, and she’s convinced it’s going to crash. On her next flight, she decides to try something different. She tells herself it’s okay to feel scared but also tries to focus on the positives—thinking about the destination, the adventure awaiting her. She practices deep breathing and even chats with the flight attendants, who reassure her. It’s not easy, and she’s still scared, but she’s taking control, bit by bit.

In the end, it’s about finding that balance. Recognize your fears, understand their impact, and take steps to address them. Whether the monster is real or just in your head, you’ve got the power to face it. Sure, it’s easier said than done, but every small step counts. So, next time fear creeps in, remember—it’s not about whether the fear is real or not; it’s about how you deal with it.