Let’s break down what self-awareness really is, why it matters, and how you can start getting a grip on it without getting all existential.

Being too fearful might cause us to limit ourselves and avoid even the most mundane situation. A lack of fear would instead lead to excessive risk-taking. So how do we figure out if our fear meter is functioning properly?

Fear can be an incredibly useful emotion, but it is also very tricky. Applied in moderation, it keeps us from going into situations where we might get hurt. However, excessive fear can also keep us stuck.