Have you ever been robbed?

That’s exactly what happened to me a few years ago. The craziest part? The culprit wasn’t a stranger—it was a close “friend.”

When my eyes were finally opened, I knew the perpetrator without a doubt: it was Fear.

Do you think I’m being overly dramatic—or maybe a little crazy? I’m not. Fear has been my constant companion for as long as I can remember. It was the “friend” everyone warned me about—the one they said I shouldn’t trust. But Fear was always by my side. In fact, it was the most loyal of all my “friends.”

What I didn’t realize back then was that Fear was slowly robbing me. Robbing me of experiences, opportunities, relationships—and even my confidence in the value I bring to others. How is it that one friend could hold so much power?

For years, Fear determined my every move. It made me see challenges as threats instead of opportunities to grow. It whispered dread and doom into my ear, keeping me from embracing collaboration or taking chances. I was so fearful of others—making me avoid meaningful connections.

But more than that, Fear convinced me that what I had to offer wasn’t enough. That my skills weren’t valuable, that my expertise wasn’t worth sharing, and that my help wasn’t as impactful as I hoped it could be.

It’s why I discounted the ways I could truly help people. Why I hesitated to charge what my work is worth. And why I constantly questioned whether my services were making a difference at all.

Fear has kept me from acting on ideas. It has silenced me when I wanted to introduce myself. “Hi, my name is Sherry,” became too risky. It immobilized me in moments that required action.

I can’t count the hours I’ve spent staring at screen, editing content endlessly, paralyzed by the thought of clicking “publish.”

And yet, in spite of my “friend” Fear, I’ve accomplished things that even I can’t believe. I became a single mother and raised my child. I married my husband after knowing him for only three weeks (we’re now on year 28!). I started multiple businesses, opened a brick-and-mortar shop, and even went to college at 46.

Now, at 52, my heart aches for the young woman I once was—the one so dominated by Fear. I ache for the time, opportunities, lessons, experiences, and relationships that Fear stole from me.

But here’s the good news: Fear is no longer my constant companion.

I’ve discovered something about Fear—it has no physicality. It’s not something you can touch or hold, even though it feels so heavy and all-encompassing at times. While Fear may be present, clinging to you no matter how hard you try to shake it off, you can still walk through it. And that is courage.

Courage is not the absence of Fear; it’s choosing to act in spite of it.

Don’t get me wrong—Fear still calls out to me. Sometimes its voice is loud enough to stop me in my tracks. But now, I recognize its tricks. I know its methods. And while Fear might still knock on my door, it doesn’t get to come inside anymore.

And here’s the thing…

Fear showed up again recently. It whispered, “Don’t share your wins. Who do you think you are to put yourself out there?”

That’s why I hesitated to share a milestone for me: I was featured as the Certified NKBA Interior Designer in Home & Style Magazine a few months back.

Even now, as I write this, Fear tries to whisper in my ear. But here’s what I’ve realized: my story—my journey of learning, growing, and embracing who I am and what I can do—could be the very thing someone else needs.

And this magazine feature? It’s not just about me. It’s about showing what’s possible when you take small, intentional steps, even with Fear as a backseat driver.

I have helped others create spaces that reflect who they are and support their wellbeing. Interior design isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it feels. It’s about overcoming the fear of making decisions, trusting your intuition, and creating a home or workspace that truly serves you.

Just like I’ve worked to silence Fear in my personal life, I’ve also helped my clients silence the doubts that keep them from creating spaces they love.

So here it is: my feature in Home & Style Magazine. This opportunity was a milestone, not just for my work, but for my personal growth.

If you’ve ever hesitated to take the next step—whether it’s redesigning your space or sharing your own story—I hope this inspires you to go for it. Fear doesn’t get the final say.

If you need to chat, don’t hesitate to reach out.