2021 is all about overcoming my fear

I believe that vulnerability is strength. For me, 2020 was all about putting this into practice.

In 2021, I want to practice overcoming my fears.

I have to constantly remind myself that overcoming one of my biggest fears is what actually sparked my singer-songwriter career. I started out as a songwriter, with no intention of ever being an artist myself. I would compose for other artists and worked behind-the-scenes on a variety of music projects. I was content doing just that, as I preferred to stay out of the spotlight. 

But everything changed when I uploaded a video to YouTube of my song "Katakanlah," a song I wrote asking for tolerance and unity upon hearing about the desecration of churches and mosques in Malaysia's Klang Valley after clashes between Christians and Muslims.

I remember being afraid to upload the video because I'm a very private person, but the message was too important to me, so I took a risk and did it anyway. I asked myself, “If my songwriter career would be ruined by this action, would I do it anyway?” The answer was a resounding yes. Much to my surprise, people supported "Katakanlah" and started urging me to release my own songs.

So here’s to 2021, and overcoming my fears.

What are your fears and how do you think you can overcome them?

Sometimes, what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free.— ROBERT TEW