It is easy to be consumed with the many terrifying things we face every day. People always expect us to be strong and to get through anything with a brave face. Why isn’t it okay to be afraid of what we’re facing? Or to be scared of what might happen after? There are so many issues that come towards us that we are unprepared for and that in itself is frightening.

I have, on many occasions, had my fair share of breakdowns. I put on a brave face, lied to myself and others and “powered through." Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made occurred when I refused to admit my fear of a situation. There’s no good reason to ever lie to yourself about any of your emotions, especially fear.

You don’t have anyone to impress, and being afraid of something may mean that you need help. Asking for help can be terrifying by itself, but not asking for it can be even worse. At the end of the day you are only a single person. There are many things out of your control, but the way you handle them is up to you.

Taylor Swift said, “Being fearless isn’t being completely unafraid. Being fearless is being absolutely terrified and jumping anyway.” I believe in this so much. It is normal to be afraid. It is normal to feel lost and unsure of how to handle something. You cannot live 100 percent unafraid of everything. There should be parts of your life, your present, your past, your future that scares the ever-loving hell out of you.

Be afraid of that big exam, be afraid to talk to that person you’re crushing on, be afraid of your future. Life is full of inconsistencies and randomness and that is terrifying. Be Taylor Swift’s idea of fearless. Be afraid and push forward anyway, whether that is by yourself or with others, but always move forward.

You are fiery, you are strong, you are beautiful and you are totally validated in your fears. You live in a big, bad world and whether it’s creepy clown sightings or a fear for the future, it’s okay to be afraid, even for just a moment.