Can you name your fear?

A few days ago, I had the chance to meet up with some old friends. During our conversation, one of them, who’s planning to make a horror film, casually asked everyone:

“What is your greatest fear?”

It was an interesting question, and each person had their own perspective.

For me, the scariest horror films aren’t necessarily the ones filled with blood, jump scares, or ghosts with clear forms. The most terrifying ones are those that dive deep into the human psyche. Because human psychology is complex—perhaps the thing we fear most is fear itself. In other words, we fear not being able to name our own fears.

In Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths form the core of its teachings: Dukkha (Suffering), Samudaya (The Cause of Suffering), Nirodha (The End of Suffering), and Magga (The Path to Liberation). The first truth, Dukkha, is simply the act of recognizing suffering—of calling it by its name.

From that simple recognition, we gain insight into its causes, the possibility of overcoming it, and the path that leads us there.

If you’re a fan of American horror movies, you might recall Valak, the demon from The Conjuring universe—defeated simply by being called by its name.

So, here’s a small exercise you can try if you ever feel tormented by a fear:

1. Write it down. Give it the most specific name you can think of.

2. Look at it. List out the reasons behind it.

3. Share it with someone you trust. Try watching a horror movie with a close friend—you might find that what once scared you turns into something laughable.

Here are some fears I’ve had:

• I feared being compared to my peers.

• I feared sharing my thoughts because I thought my understanding wasn’t perfect.

• I feared writing too much because people don’t like reading long texts.

• I loved art, but never had formal training, so I feared criticism.

I won’t say I’ve completely conquered these fears, but today, I can smile and say they no longer hold much power over me. I do things because I want to—because if even one person finds joy or inspiration from it, then it’s worth it.

The peace you’re searching for may not be anywhere outside of yourself. It might just be in the richness of your inner world—in your curiosity, in your ability to cry when you’re sad and laugh when you’re happy.

Like a child taking their first steps—unafraid of falling, simply because they want to walk.

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Here are some quick sketches I made while chatting with friends this afternoon. Do you see a common theme? 😃