Instagram/@chriswillxSupposedly Chris Williamson dropped a hot one with Mark Manson: these are moments you need to stop and scroll back. Chris Williamson’s post titled: “Can You Choose To Not Be Afraid? 19 Raw Lessons To Not Mess Up Your Life” delves into the psychology of fear; how the brain-attacked by fear-feeds-us-stories-about-what-could-possibly-happen in a particular circumstance. The guys break down the gist in the video: minds are machines of prediction-anytime it is working to foretell doom or glory even before anything has actually happened. But this is the bomb: you don’t have to buy into those stories! How crazy is that?
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The transcript is plenty insightful: just as with fear, confidence has to do with believing in something that has not yet happened. Williamson points out that somewhere along the line, you have to become aware that you choose to be afraid. Our minds churn out stories all day long; good, bad, ugly…the master power lies in recognizing those thoughts and letting them simply fade away, without clinging to them. George Orwell was mentioned also, which was like-this is an everyday fuel to apocalypse realization; everything takes effort-from one level of heavy realization to, well, at least at some point, liberating if you ask me.
Now some reactions because people were feeling that one. One user summed it all in just one phrase: “Choose the better thing to believe in.” Simple yet effective. Another informed, “It’s the best episode I’ve listened to in years,” which coming from a guy who’s heard a ton of episodes really says something about Chris Williamson. Next thing you know, somebody tells us, “Rise up and challenge your fear-it feels great and is magnificent for recalibrating your perceptions”; I’m with him on that.
And not everyone was just going along for the ride. One member asked the very fair question: “Amazing! But how on earth do you separate the belief from the story?” If it were easy, we’d all be zen masters now. One more offered very pragmatic advice: “Feel the fear and then take 2 seconds and challenge your brain back!” Those are the kind of actionable tips one actually can use when anxiety tries hijacking your day.
Not forgetting the fellow that mentioned mindfulness, “You don’t have to believe all the craziness your head tells you! A small mindfulness practice can help!” True, but much easier said than done when your brain is spinning worst-case scenarios as if it’s getting paid for it. The vibe caught, though, was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they needed to watch the episode again to pick up all the wisdom imparted.
That’s what I really love about the whole conversation: the way it weaves through psychology, philosophy, and straight-up life hacks. Williamson and Manson aren’t just theorizing-these guys are giving people tools to deal with the noise in their heads. Judging by comments, listeners are connecting on a very deep level. Whether it’s about learning to question one’s own fears or just realizing that you don’t have to buy into every single thought that springs forth, this episode has seemingly touched a nerve.
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If you’re an overthinker who’s spiraling or just somebody who’d really love to figure out where the heck fear gets so darn real, definitely worth catching. Or in the words of one commenter, “Sometimes fear shows up uninvited, but how you respond to it? That’s your power.” Mic drop. Modern men are grappling with this phenomenon now more than ever.
