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Sheryl Kraft

freelance health writer

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September 8, 2012

Welcome to my Blog!

What’s Fear Got to Do With It?

Strangely enough, I’ve been blogging for a pretty long time – almost five years – yet have dragged my feet getting my OWN blog off the ground. It’s been a long time in the making. Why? Not sure… but I have a theory: FEAR.

What a formidable emotion fear is. It’s powerful enough to silence us, make us hide, procrastinate, make excuses (oh, do I have lots of those!), become practically… comatose.

But here I (finally) am, introducing you to my new blog. I’ve gone head-to-head with fear before, and dammit, I’m gonna do it again.

And I force myself to ask WHAT IS THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN?

You know what? It’s usually not that bad.

Because, after all, don’t we all have this in common, this fear factor? But I think in the end, fear is really what motivates us to act. It pushes us to do something, anything, to get away from its vise-like grip. Because to stay stuck in a state of fear…just sucks.

I’d like to think that now that I’m of a certain age, I’ve been able to eliminate fear from my life. But I realize that’s not entirely possible. There will always be fear –  no matter how old we get. Old fears may go, but new ones take  their place. What age has done  is give me better ammunition to battle my fears. I’ve hopefully learned some things along the way to combat it faster, quicker, better.

And if I don’t try, well then, I don’t get to find out WHAT EXACTLY IS THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN?

(Is it possible that I’m finally becoming a glass-full kinda gal?)

So, now that you’ve stopped by, that’s one worst-case scenario solved. (One of my biggest fears was that no one would read my blog, kinda like suppose-they-gave-a-party-and-no-one-came.)

And now, you’re HERE! Thanks for stopping by.

So…tell me anything. What are you afraid of? Have you overcome a huge fear? Or if you don’t want to talk about fear, tell me this: what do you want to talk about? What would you like to see written/discussed/opined/dismantled in my so-called midlife?

Maybe together, we can figure it all out.

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Previous Post: « Best Beauty Advice to Follow After 50
Next Post: What Midlife Crisis? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erica Mueller says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:38 am

    I can’t wait to see how it all goes. I know your regular readers from your other sites will come here, but I suspect you’ll make plenty of new friends too!

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:48 am

      Thanks so much, Erica. It’s always exciting to launch a new project!

  2. ruth pennebaker says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    After I was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, I became obsessed by my fear of recurrence, metastasis and death. Fear was the great unmentionable in the doctor’s office and in support groups — always there, never talked about. More than anything, yoga helped me cope with my fears — by taking the attitude of surrendering to it and letting it do its worst.

    • Erica Mueller says

      September 12, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      I love the idea of surrendering, and letting fear have its way. This resonates so well with a talk I heard Brene Brown give, on being vulnerable. We have to allow ourselves to hurt, open ourselves up to fear, rejection, and disappointment. If we don’t, we become guarded, building walls that are hard to break down. We become cold. She argues that truly happy and successful people are vulnerable.

      • SherylK says

        September 13, 2012 at 10:50 am

        Great thought, Erica. Thanks for sharing. We are all alike in that we are all vulnerable. Some might be more willing to admit to it than others.

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:49 am

      Ruth, I can so relate to what you’re saying. That fear can be absolutely paralyzing. Glad you found a way to deal with it. I think it abates a bit each year, but it’s always there, isn’t it?

  3. HeatherL says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    What a lovely site for your blog. I love the retro feel of it and the colors.

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:52 am

      Thanks, Heather. Thanks to the 2 very talented gals that helped me design the blog – Erica Mueller and Kristen Madar!

  4. Brette Sember says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    Congrats on launching your blog! Health concerns are a big fear for me. They always catch me off guard somehow. Sometimes I feel apprehensive about the changes that are headed my way, such as the empty nest.

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:54 am

      Thanks, Brette. Health concerns, yes. They are always there. I think we have to realize that we can control our health to a degree by taking preventive measures, which I’ll be writing about in the future. Empty nest – that’s another popular topic/fear. But I have found it’s not as scary as I anticipated.

  5. Alexandra says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    This is great! Looking forward to reading this blog on a regular basis. “Growing older and feeling fabulous,” yes, for fifteen years, since I hit 50. My fear is that the next 15 won’t be so easy. I hope you will discuss issues that affect women 65 and over, too.

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:54 am

      Thanks, Alexandra. What types of issues would you like to see discussed here for women 65 and over?

  6. Nancy says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Congratulations on facing your fears, Sheryl! Best of luck with the new blog.

  7. Linda says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    And isn’t anxiety (fear) also a symptom of perimenopause and menopause? So we can blame it on the whole midlife thing…
    I agree with Brette, the empty nest and health concerns are my two two biggest fear triggers. I just turned 50 and while I don’t feel, or look my age, I seem to be hearing about more and more friends being diagnosed with health problems. I’m supposed to get a routine physical soon and I’m anxious about that (although I have no reason to be and have never been anxious before), I also like Ruth’s suggestion of yoga and have heard that from others.
    Good to hear that others have anxieties too. Look forward to reading your blog. I’m sure it will be as wonderful as your many health articles.

    • SherylK says

      September 12, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Linda – Thanks for your comment. It resonates with me so much, especially your first sentence. I wrote about anxiety and menopause on one of my other blogs – maybe you’d be interested in taking a look: http://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/menopause-and-anxiety-whats-connection

      • Linda says

        September 12, 2012 at 2:40 pm

        Sheryl:
        Thanks for the link to your great article and for validating my concerns that these irrational periods of anxiety are something that many women encounter in midlife!

        • SherylK says

          September 13, 2012 at 10:55 am

          Always happy to help, Linda!

  8. April Harris says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    This post really resonated with me. I think we all know fear pretty well, and how we handle it can change our lives, so it is good talk / write about it openly! Your blog looks great; I look forward to reading more!

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

      Hi April, Yes, handling fear is something we all deal with. Wouldn’t it be nice if we were all equipped to deal with it in the perfect way? It’s a process, I think. But a start that talking and writing about it openly is a great first step.

  9. merr says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    I love your site and am so excited to watch it unfold. Congrats to you, Sheryl. Great title, great design!

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:57 am

      Thanks, Merr. I appreciate your feedback, of course!

  10. Kerry Dexter says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Sheryl,
    conratulations on starting your own blog. I’ve enjoyed your writing elsewhere and look forward to reading it here.

    not sure if this is something you’d be into discussing, but I’d be interested in hearing about ways faith and fear interact at midlife. living through uncertain times with health, family, and vocation has caused changing views on matters of faith for me, and I wonder how it goes for others.

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

      Thanks, Kerry. I’m glad I finally started this – it’s a project that was in my mind for so very long.
      You pose a very good question about faith and fear. Perhaps you’d care to guest post on my blog about your experiences?

  11. Irene says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    So nice that you will have a place of your own so we can visit and read all your wonderful essays and health pieces in one place. You are one of my favorite writers~
    Irene

  12. Jennifer Margulis says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:06 am

    Sheryl! I’ve been a huge fan of your writing for about as long as you’ve been blogging!! And I’m so excited to see that you have your own website now. Plus, I love it.

    No fear necessary, girl. The GLASS IS FULL.

    And you are the real deal — smart, funny, well-informed, gorgeous.

    Hugs and love and I look forward to coming back lots and lots!

    Jennifer

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 1:19 pm

      Wow, Jennifer, your enthusiasm and praise warms my heart! Thanks so much for your kind words.

  13. Thelma says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Dearest Sheryl-
    My favorite saying is that the true indicator of the future is the past, so knowing that you have been extremely successful in every aspect of your life up to now, I have NO DOUBT that this blog is going to be fantastic!! I am looking forward to seeing it unfold…

    I for one, am extremely interested in tips to get rid of my Middle Age SPREAD!! I refuse to go down without a fight, but I so enjoy my cocktails and don’t want to give them up. Any advice for those of us always thirsty???

    Love tons and tons,
    xoxo
    Thel

    • SherylK says

      September 13, 2012 at 11:00 am

      Thanks for your lovely note, Thel. I’m happy you’ll be here to see the blog unfold, and hope to be able to help your thirsty self find some answers!

  14. Charlotte says

    September 13, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Congrats on your wonderful site! You’re an inspiration and I look forward to reading lots of your blogs. I like Ruth’s words about finding yoga and surrendering. I think when we stop resisting, we can then take back our true power and deal with whatever the universe gives us. Again, congrats Sheryl!

  15. Vera Marie Badertscher says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    It is so exciting to be here at the beginning of your terrific new journey. I loved turning 50–that’s when I started my freelance writing career (3rd or 4th career–but who’s counting?). Then in my 60’s I started a blog. So see, you’ve got me beat already with starting your blog at a youthful 50.
    I’m really looking forward to reading your wonderful, informative articles.

  16. MyKidsEatSquid says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    Congrats on your blog. I can’t wait to read more.

  17. Nina Knox says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Sheryl, So nice to meet you. Fear holds a lot of us back, but have you noticed that after turning 50, a lot of that fear feeling has left? The fear of what people may think, will they like me, am I good enough, what if I don’t say the right thing! All that is slowly disappearing and it’s a feeling of freedom! Who cares anyway? Just be the authentic you that you are!
    Nina

  18. Donna Leftwich Hull says

    September 15, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Congratulations, Sheryl, on facing your fear to produce this blog. I think overcoming fear is an exhilarating feeling. I started my 50’s with plenty of fear about some life changes that I was making. It turned out to be my best decade ever. And, so far, my 60’s are headed in a good direction, too. I think good health is the key, without it, we can’t accomplish much. I’m looking forward to visiting here on a regular basis.

  19. sarah henry says

    September 18, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Woot! Glad to see you’re up and running on your own. Awesome.

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About Me

What’s this so-called midlife, anyway?

It’s a time of tremendous change, growth and opportunity. A time to re-evaluate our choices, our experiences and ourselves. A time to take what we’ve accumulated up until now and put it to work.

When I turned 50, many things changed... read more about me.

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Reader Feedback

speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50’s and beyond

I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
Sheryl Kraft
2016-11-29T02:25:43+00:00
I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/readers-love-us/

A High School Student and Aspiring Writer from Australia Reaches Out…

I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future!

Best wishes,

Mikayla

 
Sheryl Kraft
2017-01-17T13:37:55+00:00
I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience. I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future! Best wishes, Mikayla  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/high-school-student-aspiring-writer-australia-reaches/

Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week!

On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.

 
Sheryl Kraft
2018-12-07T02:46:56+00:00
On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/due-to-your-article-traffic-and-sales-have-been-great-this-past-week/

I’m writing to express my admiration for the work you are doing!

I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve.

I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change!

Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.

 
Sheryl Kraft
2020-02-14T14:57:09+00:00
I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change! Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/im-writing-to-express-my-admiration-for-the-work-you-are-doing/
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