The Analogy | Spider Webs

The Webs of Fear

And it dawned on me…that I had been closing my creativity down to a very narrow, controllable scale…that things had become too familiar and I might have to disorient myself. - Bob Dylan

I closed out yesterday’s morning thought with a mention on fear - that it is good, and necessary. This morning I came across this quote from Bobby which doesn’t specifically identify the word, but does allude to it in every other way, prompting in my mind a potential analogy, and thus this article, bringing “The Analogy” section back to life from the depths of my Substack.

Narrowing creativity, lowering output to a controllable scale, working solely within the bounds of that which is familiar, these are all actions catalyzed by fear. Fear is nuanced and deeply complex, it is a sticky spider web of connections, one that has been weaved and touched by countless spiders (friends & foes) throughout our lives. A web of fear was cast when you were stung by a bee at four years old, another web was spun when the fat kid called you fat on the playground (ironic), and another when your crush said no in front of everyone outside the slice shop. All of these webs, and spiders, accumulate on top of one another throughout our lives, contributing to each of our personal overstories, that intangible, invisible aura above us that makes us who we are - it can’t be seen, but it can be felt. Webs of fear also create a cushion, transparent and fragile, but a barrier nonetheless, with a goal of protecting the heart and soul at all costs. These barriers create safe spaces for comfortability and control, they shrink the room for creativity to a setting that is familiar, a place without playground bullies, stinging bees, or rude and immature crushes.

And that can be okay for a while, to live in that safe space, but it will never be great, and it won’t last forever. The thing about cobwebs is, even though they are entwined with an immense fortitude for a spider, the slightest breeze may blow them away, and given that we are humans, that just won’t do, that is not reliable, and is bound to fail. So, what then? What happens your already brittle support system shielding you from your fears blusters in the blink of an eye? Look up, the answer is written above - you may have to disorient yourself. Disorientation is scary, stressful, and aberrant no doubt, but it is also the only way. There is a common phrase thrown around in the spheres of success and triumph: “Be Fearless”. It sounds good, powerful, rolls off the tongue eloquently, but it’s wholly unrealistic and antithetical to every human instinct we have, and share. Fear is one of those characteristics that brings us, humans, together - we can relate to the feeling just as we can relate to the feeling of love.

So, I guess, don’t be fearless, but do be mindful. Fear can be just as beneficially impactful as it can be negative, the key is to harness a mental acuity for when the scale shifts too far in either direction away from the equilibrium. Within that balance, which is unique to all of us, you will discover unfamiliar ideas and beautiful feelings, and you will also lose a little control, but that’s okay - absolute control corrupts absolutely, it’s not fun, and it is certainly not interesting. The spider webs of fear in your life can provide essential reminders of your personal story and fears throughout time, and it is genuinely valid to keep them around for that purpose. But, be weary not to let them harden from silk to steel, as their translucence is integral to seeing through to the other side, a side where fear is real, and most importantly, is your friend.