Shining Your Light: How to Overcome Your Fear of Visibility as a Heart-led Soul-preneur
As a holistic wellness practitioner and healer, having a public presence- both digitally and socially, is vital for your success. However, for many budding entrepreneurs, the fear of being seen can be a significant roadblock on their path to making a positive impact.
For some, especially those inclined towards introversion or privacy, the act of self-promotion may feel uncomfortable, intimidating and downright TERRIFYING.
But if you have an online business, it’s something you can’t skip.
In this post, we will break down your visibility block, explore practical strategies to combat the fear of visibility and empower you to embrace your role as a changemaker and healer.
By putting together a plan of action, saying “yes” in small ways, and building authority over time, it’ll get a lot easier. We promise!
"Visibility is Vulnerability"
The Roots of Your Patterns
Recognizing and understanding the underlying reasons behind your visibility fear is the first step towards overcoming it.
As humans we crave visibility because we are wired with two distinct needs:
The need for authentic self-expression
The need for acceptance and belonging.
Almost always, the need for belonging will trump the need for expression. This keeps us safe. In order to feel accepted by peers, family and community we may unconsciously "turn down the volume" on our personalities or desires - silencing ourselves to preserve our relationships with others or our perceived "membership" in a group.
ALIGNED ACTION: Journal on what visibility would look like as your inner child. More praise and recognition? More adoration? Understanding? Connection?
“Three of the greatest longings of the human soul are to be seen, heard and known”
Kim Kurtz
Our inner insecurities and self-doubt can stem from various factors and manifest in many different ways:
rejection sensitivity - fear of judgement, criticism or cancelation
imposter syndrome - fear of being exposed as incompetent or a fraud
overwhelm - fear of the unknown, risk, responsibility, demands, stress, inability or inadequacy
avoidance - fear of success, acknowledgment or recognition
perfectionism - fear of failure, being wrong, being misunderstood
smallness - fear of being average or unoriginal, or in being "too much"
This underlying anxiety typically manifests as Stress (pressure, panic) or Stagnation (analysis paralysis, inability to prioritize). This general fear of discomfort can lead to reduced productivity, low morale, or burnout.
You may feel powerless, but rest assured - this fear is common and can be overcome with the right mindset and strategies.
After you have awareness and understanding of the roots of your limiting beliefs, you can start to unwind your patterning. This doesn't mean diving headfirst into the spotlight, although it can. Small, achievable goals will gradually expand your comfort zone.
Our fear of Visibility is a part of our nervous system wiring. And like a muscle we learn to flex, it’s a skill we can build and master over time. Thankfully there are several ways to help you expand your capacity for visibility so that it feels easier and more natural.
Step 1: Embrace Your Authenticity
The first step in combating the fear of visibility is to embrace your authenticity. Loving and accepting your true self will allow you to connect genuinely with your audience and attract clients who resonate with your values and mission.
Take time to recognize and celebrate your unique gifts, strengths, and experiences that make you one of a kind
Your empathy
Your compassion
Your individuality
Your personal brand is a powerful tool for standing out in the already crowded and competitive wellness industry. Take time to craft a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your target client.
Define your values, mission, and message
Communicate your authentic story and expertise
Showcase how you can make a positive difference in people's lives.
Using the tools of Human Design can be very helpful in this process.
Step 2: Shift Your Mindset
To overcome the fear of visibility, it's essential to challenge limiting beliefs and cultivate a consistently positive mindset. Replace self-doubt with self-belief and affirmations that reinforce your worth and abilities.
Surround yourself with positive influences, such as uplifting books, podcasts, or mentors who can inspire and support your journey
Practice self-care rituals like meditation, mindful, movement and play
Visualize an image that represents safe, aligned visibility to you: a house with windows, a stage for performance, a curated IG feed, a certain number of LinkedIn followers.
Step 3: Build Your Support System
Navigating the journey of visibility can feel challenging and overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Building a solid support system and establishing proactive, preventative measures can set you up for success.
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who understand your journey and can offer support and encouragement.
Seek mentorship from more seasoned/experienced holistic wellness practitioners who were once in your shoes and successfully overcame their own fears of visibility.
Hire, delegate or outsource the tasks that are particularly depleting to your energy. You'll feel a weight lifted!
Set boundaries for your time and energy so that draining people are not a part of your inner circle
Step 4: Show Up!
In today's digital age, social media offers unparalleled opportunities for visibility. Leveraging online platforms can get you on the fast-track to sales.
Utilize the platform of your choice (and ideally audience's preferred channel too) to share valuable content, engage with your audience, and build a community.
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Youtube
TikTok
Post first, Think later. Over time and experimentation you will develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand and consistently provides value to your followers.
It's ok to start small! After all, practice makes perfect. This could look like...
committing to posting weekly to social media post
sharing your expertise on a blog or Facebook group
participating in local wellness events
offering workshops to a small group of people
publishing a list of FAQs to your website
draw out your ideal IG feed or content ratio
Break every task into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each milestone and use it as a stepping stone to propel yourself further.
Another strategy to try is based in exposure therapy. Set aside chunks of time on your calendar to experience intense “sprints" of visibility, pushing the edge of comfort by being EXTRA visible for a short but designated amount of time, say 1 week, 1 month, or 3 months.
In this time it's important to have no other agenda other than simply showing up. No need to get likes, followers or new bookings. Just a time to practice and play! Over time this will expand your nervous system's capacity and before long, it will feel natural and normal.
Step 5: Connect & Collaborate
Authentic storytelling helps create a genuine connection with your audience and establishes you as a trusted authority in your field. Your story is unique and has the power to inspire and connect with others. Through practice you can overcome the fear of judgment and rejection by sharing your personal journey and expertise.
Collaborating with other holistic practitioners or networking within the wellness community can expand your reach and provide opportunities to tap into new audiences and build meaningful connections.
Strategies include:
Contests & Giveaways
Guest blogging
Podcast interviews
Remember, collaboration is not one-sided - it's about authentically supporting and uplifting one another. Offer genuine help and support rather than a "sale" or pitch.
Step 6: Celebrate & Embrace the Growth Process
Personal and professional growth is a lifelong journey, and every step forward is a step closer to fulfilling your purpose and meeting your potential.
It's important to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Embrace each win, no matter how small, as it reinforces your progress and boosts your confidence.
Wrapping It All Up
The fear of visibility is an all-too-common hurdle for budding entrepreneurs and holistic healers. By understanding the roots of this fear and implementing practical strategies, you can overcome it and embrace the opportunity to make a positive impact.
Remember, the world NEEDS your unique gifts and expertise. Embrace your authenticity, shift your mindset, and take small steps towards being seen as the big, bold, bright, beautiful soul that you are.
Want to make more money?
Find your dream clients?
Create from a place of alignment?
Have people ready to buy the next time you launch a new product, offer or service?
Then you must be willing to be SEEN! If you really have big goals for your business and you're NOT regularly shaking in your boots then you're gonna be stuck at the same place you're at right now for a looooong time.
But again, the good news is the more you put yourself out there the easier it gets.
Practice doesn’t make perfect but it DOES create ease in your nervous system and confidence that you, in fact, CAN do uncomfortable things.
Ready to navigate your personal and professional transformation? Ready to unleash your light and become a beacon of healing? You can take the first step today, right NOW.
I would love to be part of your journey towards self-empowerment, both strategically and energetically. Let's connect.
Erin Ratliff is a certified feng shui consultant, holistic business coach and organic growth marketer for earth-loving, heart-centered soul-preneurs.
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