Face the fear anyway

The day I was told of the possibility of handling the Spaces section in this paper remains vivid in my mind. It was on my birthday last year, and if you ask me what my first thought was, it wasn’t excitement or pride.

It was fear.

My immediate reaction was, “Why me?”

Why not someone else? Why trust someone like me with such a responsibility?

I had only just turned 25. I felt too young, too inexperienced and, honestly, not confident enough. I wasn’t a seasoned writer, let alone editor. I didn’t have decades of experience behind me. I was comfortable writing entertainment and lifestyle stories, and that was where I saw myself growing. Spaces was different. It required me to step into unfamiliar territory, meet people from different industries and tell stories from perspectives I had never explored before.

I remember trying to say no.

I convinced myself that there were other people more qualified, more experienced and prepared for the role. Every time I searched for a reason to decline, another reason appeared for me to say yes.

Looking back, I realize that sometimes opportunities come into our lives not because we are ready, but because they are meant to prepare us for what comes next.

Still, I struggled with self-doubt. My editor kept telling me, “You can do it.”

At first, I didn’t believe those words. Eventually, I borrowed that belief until I could build my own. And that’s where my journey of grit began.

One of the greatest things Spaces gave me was the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. It introduced me to a completely different world. I met new people, heard remarkable stories, and learned from individuals whose experiences were far different from my own. Every conversation taught me something. Every feature challenged me to think differently. Every deadline pushed me to become better.

The more I stepped outside what was familiar, the more I discovered what I was capable of.

I was afraid for a long time. In fact, I think fear accompanied me through most of this journey. But somewhere along the way, I learned a lesson that I now carry with me everywhere: the more afraid you are of something, the more you need to push through it.

Fear isn’t always a warning sign. Sometimes it’s an invitation to grow.

There were difficult days. There were mistakes, missed opportunities and moments when I felt I wasn’t doing enough. I still have so much to learn, and I know I am far from perfect. But growth isn’t about having all the answers. Growth is about showing up every day, learning from your mistakes, and continuing despite your doubts.

That’s what grit means to me.

It’s choosing to stay when things become difficult. It’s continuing to learn when you feel inexperienced. It’s believing in the possibility of growth even when you cannot yet see the results.

Somewhere along the way, Spaces became more than just a section to me. It became something I cared deeply about. I treated it like my baby. I wanted to nurture it, help it grow, and give it the attention it deserved. And in the process, I realized something unexpected: while I was helping build the section, the section was also helping build me.

Now, as I look back, I am honestly shocked that an entire year has passed.

I don’t know exactly where Spaces will lead me in the future. I don’t know what opportunities are waiting around the corner.

But I do know this: there is a space somewhere in my future that this journey is preparing me for.

A space where I am more confident. A space where I trust myself more. A space where I am stronger because of every challenge I chose not to run away from.

When I think about, “Why me?” I realize that I’m asking the wrong question.

The question was never “Why me?” The real question was, “What will I become if I say yes?”

A year later, I think I finally have