Why I Made phearnik! The Courage Buddy and Who It’s For
Tired of Being Fearful
Are your fears tiring you out? Does your anxiety run you ragged? Additionally, do you see others doing simple, everyday things that you feel you want to do but you’re unable to? Would you like to stop fears from getting in the way of your joy?
If your answers are “yes,” it’s safe to say, you don’t like these feelings. They make you feel like such a weakling. You’re embarrassed and you’re exhausted.
Towards Courage
It would be nice to stop fears from interrupting your life. Moreover, you would love to not be afraid of doing things others do as a matter of fact. Being more courageous is on your list. All of this would make you feel more free. You want to be released from the heavy cloak of fear. It’s a cloak that holds you back from doing things with ease and joy.
Something to Build Courage
If you relate, I have something for you. I made it especially for you. It’s something that can help you be more courageous and stop fears. It will help you step out of your comfort zone. With this special something, you will learn to not to be afraid. And, you too will do things with ease you see others doing . This “thing” will give you freedom. It will release you from the heavy cloak of fear you wear. Additionally, it will get you doing things you were once fearful of. And you will begin living your life with more ease and joy.
Courage Building Plush
Believe it or not, this “something” is a plush. Yes, a plush or a little stuffed novelty toy like the new LaBubu, the old Beanie Babies, or the popular Squishmellows. But my “something” plush was designed to be more than just a novelty or toy or favorite huggable. My “something” plush helps people who struggle with, the sometimes daily, non-life-threatening irrational fears. My plush helps these people fear less. The “something” plush I created is a phearnik!® or Courage Buddy™.
phearnik!® The Courage Buddy
The phearnik!® Courage Buddy is a small, soft purple plush with wild hair that looks like a ragdoll. I created phearnik! for myself. I believe others can benefit from using a phearnik!® too.
I created phearnik!® to help me build courage to stop fear. As a kid, I struggled with fears that seemed irrational compared to other kids. I was afraid of swimming in the ocean but saw other kids doing it and having fun. I was often afraid of joining in and playing with other kids standing on the side lines unable to leave my mother.
A Desire to Stop Fear
As an adult and artist, I struggled with a “fear of the blank canvas.” This is like “writers’ block” that many writers experience. It is a fear of the “blank page.” The feeling overwhelms the artist or writer so that it’s difficult to get started, to get words on the page or paint on the canvas.
Also, as an adult, I spent a lot of time researching and reading about how to deal with this debilitating fear. I was not alone as the books I read suggested others needed help with this issue too.
The Answer in Big Magic
But it wasn’t until I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear that I finally discovered a way to move beyond my fear. An idea Gilbert presents in the book finally lead me to unburdened and joyous creating.
In the book, Gilbert suggests the artist accepts their feeling of fear. She points out that fear is always with us sometimes in full control and other times silent. Instead of trying to “get over fear” or ignoring it, Gilbert suggests we acknowledge fear. But, and it’s a big “but” to not let it take control of what we are trying to do.
Beyond Big Magic
As the story goes (I’ve written about it here and here), I loved this idea of accepting and acknowledging fear but not letting it take control. But I wanted to go one step further. I wanted to have an actual fear. I wanted an actual item that I could hold. if needed I wanted something I could take with me. Because of this, it needed to be small – small enough to fit in a purse or backpack or even a pocket. Hence, phearnik!®The Courage Buddy was born.
How the phearnik!®Courage Buddy™ Works to Build Courage and Stop Fear
The little plush acts as a prompt to remind individuals to keep fear small. This helps people be safe while stepping out of their comfort zone to do new things that are desired or needed to do.
phearnik! is a technique to reduce fear. I made it for both kids and adults. It’s for kids and adults who are a bit neophobic or unsure of trying new things. These individuals could be overly cautious, shy, or timid. Or they could often experience feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or hesitant. I often use the terms fearful and anxious when describing who the Courage Buddy is for.
phearnik! is a fun way to practice and acquire a mental health or social emotional skill. Using the little plush helps the user remember to practice mindfulness during times of anxiety causing action.
I made phearnik!® the Courage Buddy for both kids and adults who struggle with:
- Neophobia – unsure of trying new things
- Being overly cautious, shy, or timid
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Consistently feeling unsure or hesitant
- Non-life-threatening fears
- Anxiety
Join the phearnik!®Courage Buddy™ Campaign
The phearnik! Courage Buddy Campaign works not only to help people understand what the plush is and how it works but to also build awareness to the importance of mental health skills and social emotional learning. When we learn social and emotional skills, we positively impact the prevention of mental illness and mental health disorders.
Support Mental Health
By participating in the Campaign, you demonstrate your commitment to supporting mental health. More specifically, it reflects your endorsement of the value in developing social and emotional skills, which are fundamental in preventing mental illness and related conditions.
Get a Courage Buddy!
Joining the Campaign also contributes to making the therapeutic plush accessible to individuals of all ages who experience fear and anxiety. Additionally, as a subscriber, you will receive updates regarding the availability of the plush. To join, click the button below!
for more about the courage buddy, Read “Why I made “Phoebe and phearnik!®: Fight BIG Fears” picture book“
Looking for members – join the Courage Builders Facebook Group.