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Getting to know yourself and your true self-worth is essential to learning how to overcome fear of failure and support yourself unconditionally.
For many of us, fear of failure is more than deciding whether to switch careers or go back to school. It runs deep, often challenging our very identity as Black women.
Carrying the high and often contradicting expectations of our families, culture, and society can leave us terrified to stumble, falter, or disappoint.
But here’s the truth: Failure doesn’t define you, and it’s never the end of your story.
This guide explores how to overcome the fear of failure by fostering self-awareness and nurturing unconditional self-love.
What's in this article?
What is fear of failure?
Fear of failure, also known as atychiphobia, can be intense and all-consuming. Many times, it’s not the failure that scares us. It’s what we believe that failure says about us.1
When we make mistakes, disappoint others, or face criticism, it can feel like a direct reflection of who we are, attacking our self-worth.2 And as Black women, this is only amplified by the fact that we represent so much more than ourselves. We’re often the first in our families and the only in the office—this added pressure can make even the idea of failure unbearable.3
How fear of failure can show up in everyday life
It may not always show up as panic.
“Many times, I see the fear of failure show up as overworking. Sometimes, it looks like perfectionism, or stops us from trying. But lack of success doesn’t mean you’re a failure,” said Dr. La Keita Carter, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of Maryland-based Institute for HEALing. “Just like solving a math problem. If you have the wrong answer, you aren’t a failure—the math is off. Recalculate.”
>> MORE: Work stress hits Black women differently: Here’s how
Common signs of fear of failure
Signs of fear of failure can be emotional, behavioral, and physical, affecting us all in different ways. Common signs could include1,4:
- Persistently avoiding new challenges or opportunities.
- Struggling to finish what you start.
- Tying achievements to your self-worth.
- Feeling like you’re never good enough.
- Constantly seeking reassurance from others.
- Experiencing anxiety, anger, irritability, or even panic attacks.
How to overcome fear of failure
Overcoming the fear of failure takes time. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where you show yourself patience and self-compassion throughout. Here are several tips that can help you.
Validate your emotions
Our initial reaction to feeling anxious or afraid is to suppress or criticize how we feel. You may wonder why you can’t just be more grateful or have more faith—because God hasn’t given you the spirit of fear. But feelings are natural responses, not something we need to judge, rebuke, or push away.
Several therapeutic approaches teach that your feelings are valid and deserve to be acknowledged. So, tell yourself that it is okay to feel fear, doubt, or overwhelm. This can create space for you to address what you need, and potentially calm your fears in that moment.
Explore what’s behind the fear
Fear of failure often masks deeper worries. Are you afraid of letting your family down? Disappointing God? Not having enough? By understanding the root of the fear, you can address it head-on. You may even discover harmful beliefs or inherited pressures that need to be released, not carried.
Detach from others’ expectations
Chasing approval can leave you feeling like a failure more often than not. We can’t control what others think of us, even those who’ve known us all our lives. And it’s nearly impossible to live a life someone else designed for you without directly rejecting yourself.
You have a unique purpose on this earth—your own life to live, fit with your own desires, passions, interests, and needs. Get to know yourself, sis. And define success on your own terms.
By the way, it’s not selfish. It’s the only way to unlock what’s special inside of you so the world can see it.
Focus on what matters to you
Live by what motivates you, not others’ expectations. Are you into helping others? Building community? Growing generational wealth? When you have a strong “why,” it can carry you through life’s disappointments. And the outcome, while important, won’t define or end you.
Do a self-worth self-check
You are not your achievements. Reflect on who you are outside of what you do. List those traits, values, and memories that make you you. Remind yourself of the battles you’ve already won and the wisdom you’ve gained along the way. Your value is unwavering, regardless of external outcomes.
>> MORE: Affirmations for when you need help knowing you are enough
Meet disappointment with self-compassion, not criticism
When things don’t go as planned, does your inner critic go on overdrive?
Instead of tearing yourself down, practice self-compassion. Positive self-talk, kindness, and understanding can build you up, even when you feel like you’ve failed. Acknowledge the pain, and then remind yourself that setbacks are a part of life, not a punishment. Choose to learn what you can so you come out stronger on the other side.
Share your fears with a therapist
Fear of failure is a learned emotional response, and sometimes, we need help unlearning it. A culturally competent therapist can help.
“Therapy can help you understand how you think and correct cognitive distortions, like all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and filtering,” said Dr. Carter. “It helps build emotional muscle to help you tolerate discomfort, imperfection, uncertainty, and failure.”
>> MORE: A Black woman’s guide to getting mental health help
How self-love helps you overcome fear of failure
Self-love beats fear. When you genuinely love and accept yourself unconditionally, failure feels less threatening.
With self-love, you can:
- Embrace vulnerability: Be free to take risks without tying your self-worth to the outcome.
- Build resilience: See setbacks as detours, not dead ends, helping you bounce back more easily.
- Set healthy boundaries: Say no to people-pleasing and overcommitting—no longer driven by fear of disappointing others.
- Celebrate growth: Focus on the journey, not just the destination.
- Trust yourself: Increase the confidence in your own capabilities and decision-making, no matter what happens.
For Black women, self-love is a defense against the messaging, systems, and narratives that devalue our worth. Let it free you from paralyzing fear and impossible expectations.
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How to overcome fear of failure FAQs
How do I stop being so afraid of failure?
Start by challenging what you believe about failure. It’s not proof you’re lacking—it’s part of the learning process. Practice self-compassion, challenge negative self-talk, and surround yourself with a supportive community to help you shift how you see setbacks.
What causes fear of failure?
Fear of failure can stem from several sources, like childhood experiences and cultural and societal pressures. Black women are expected to achieve more just to be accepted and to do so while fully representing past generations and the entire Black community. This only adds to the pressure and reinforces the fear.
Does fear of failure ever go away?
Fear, in general, will never completely go away. It’s a natural human emotion that’s helped us survive and evolve. Although we can’t avoid feeling fear, we can prevent it from taking over, controlling our decisions, relationships, and future outlook. Paying attention to your emotions and what’s behind them keeps you in the driver’s seat. You can learn to feel and keep moving forward anyway, building resilience and cultivating self-love along the way.
References
- Fear of Failure (Atychiphobia): Causes & Treatment. (2022, March 23). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22555-atychiphobia-fear-of-failure#symptoms-and-causes ↩︎
- Wilson, L. (2024, February 26). The Fear of Failure: Understanding the Psychology Behind it. SACAP; The South African College of Applied Psychology – SACAP. https://www.sacap.edu.za/blog/applied-psychology/the-psychology-of-failure/ ↩︎
- The Other Side of the Strong Black Woman. (2022). Northwestern Magazine. https://magazine.northwestern.edu/voices/inger-burnett-zeigler-the-other-side-of-the-strong-black-woman ↩︎
- the, B. (2025, June 5). Meridian Counseling. Meridian Counseling. https://www.meridian-counseling.com/blog/breaking-the-habit-of-reassurance-seeking-build-self-trust-and-beat-ceo-burnout ↩︎