Embracing Fear

The Gateway to Big Dreams

Dear Friend

How are you today?

I have a question for you… are your dreams big enough?

In life, we often find inspiration in the most unexpected places, from the stories of those who have walked paths vastly different from our own.  Such was the case a few weeks ago when I had the privilege of connecting with Anne Watts a remarkable writer now in her 80’s, whose spirit and resilience continue to inspire me each day since I met her.

Our encounter began with a simple email enquiry about joining one of my writing retreats hosted by

Clover Stroud

, a serendipitous exchange that blossomed into a meaningful connection.  Despite the day retreat being sold out with a waiting list, Anne and I remained in contact, sharing stories and insights about our shared love for journaling and the power of storytelling.  She even said “Tanya, where were you 20 years ago when I needed to join “Rage on a Page”!  It was through these conversations that I learned about Anne’s extraordinary journey, including her ongoing work on her third memoir as part of her trilogy.

Anne’s first memoir “Always the Children” captivated me from the moment I began turning its pages.  As I delved deeper into her story, I went back to the inside cover and to my delight discovered a personal note she left for me… “For Tanya, if your dreams don’t scare you - they are not big enough, enjoy” Anne Watts April 2024. These words resonated deeply within me, sparking a lingering moment of reflection.

Do my dreams scare me?  

Are they truly big enough?  

These questions lingered in my mind, prompting me to explore their significance further.  Whilst out walking with the ridgebacks this morning, I contemplated the idea of dreaming boldly.  I realised the transformative power of embracing fear and stepping out of my comfort zone.  Blimey each week, it seems I’m thrown a little curve ball to test my ability to stand steady and keep believing in my dreams. But were these dreams big enough?!  

Anne’s wisdom has ignited a spark within me today, without realising she is urging me to dream bigger, reach higher and embrace the unknown with courage and conviction.

So in honour of Anne’s inspiring message, I’ve curated a series of therapeutic journaling prompts designed to encourage self-discovery.  These prompts invite you to explore the nature of your dreams, confront your fears and envision a future filled with limitless possibility.  Maybe you’d like to share with me your BIG dream?  If anything, I hope that by journaling about your big dream, these prompts will serve as a guiding light on your journey toward realising your deepest aspirations.  Because how often do you ask yourself the question… what is my big dream and is it big enough?

1. Reflect on a dream you’ve held onto for some time.  Does the thought of pursuing this dream evoke feelings of excitement or apprehension?  Explore the reasons behind your emotional response.

2.  Consider a time when you took a leap of faith and pursued a dream that initially seemed daunting.  What lessons did you learn from this experience?

3. Imagine your ideal life without limitations.  What does it look like?  What dreams do you dare to pursue in this imagined reality?

4. Explore the concept of fear as a guiding force in your life.  How has fear influenced your decision-making process?  Are there times when fear has prevented you from pursuing your dreams?

5. Reflect on the words of Anne Watts “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough”. What insights do these words offer about the nature of ambition and personal growth?

I’ll be journaling with these prompts later, as I know they will help me embrace the fullness of my dreams and confront my fears with a little more courage.  As Anne has shown me, my dreams have the power to shape my destiny.  I dare you to dream boldly and fearlessly, just know that the path to greatness lies within us all.

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xx