fear – Henriette Nolte

Fear or Focus | Thoughts on ChatGPT

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Henriette

A while back, someone told me that he had used ChatGPT to write a management report. I was conflicted about this and wondered if I should say something. My doubt showed up on my face, and so, the man went on to explain that the report was a tick-box exercise and not important with regards to his job.

I remained conflicted about this.

I believe that reading widely and writing well are cornerstones of a good society. But more than that—reading and writing improves our lives. It sharpens our thinking. It helps us to become more intentional with our time and focus. It opens possibilities and expands our sense of who we are.

Foundations of Fear

Posted on November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 by Henriette

I’ve spent the past two weeks desperately trying to lower the blood sugar of a close family member. This person has received all manner of advice from medical “experts.” They call themselves experts, yet when it comes to real results—meaning better health, not just suppression of symptoms—they rarely have anything to show for it. Real health improvements are hard to achieve. Difficult. Difficult. Difficult. This is especially true for older people.

Confronting Fear | How Jung Cured His Own Neurosis

Posted on April 8, 2025September 15, 2025 by Henriette

When Jung was around twelve years old, a fellow school student knocked him over. As the young Jung fell, he hit his head such that he nearly lost consciousness.

It was after this point that Jung experienced fainting spells every time he was supposed to go to school. For more than six months, Jung stayed away from school. He spent his time in nature and isolation. He read and played in the woods. He drew pictures of battles and castles. And he drew pages and pages of caricatures.

Here’s a quote from Memories, Dreams, Reflections about the period:

“But I was growing more and more away from the world, and had all the while faint pangs of conscience. I frittered away my time with loafing, collecting, reading and playing. But I did not feel any happier for it. I had the obscure feeling that I was fleeing from myself.”

Fear, Control, and Spirituality

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Henriette

In my twenties I sought advice from various people in spiritual positions. I wanted to resolve my inner turmoil. My sense was that I was missing something fundamental: purpose, connection, and inner peace. I also had an enormous amount of latent trauma beneath my awareness.

But no one that I came into contact with ever really helped me. Many people in authority positions were sorely disappointing. The majority of them were controlling and tried to force compliance by instilling fear in me and others. Some were dangerous. Many lacked compassion. Nearly all of hem lacked true wisdom and presence.

But something good came from all those years of searching. I learned discernment. A foundational thing when it comes to the religious or spiritual teachings of others. Today, I only take in those teaching that resonate with me. I do not force myself into some prescribed doctrine that stands completely separate from experience and my own inner knowing.

Here are a few specifics to watch out for.

Are you afraid of everything? | Lessons from Jon Snow

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Henriette

When Jon Snow first meets Samwell Tarly he is struck by how incapable and frightened the ‘fat boy’ is. Sam doesn’t fit in with the hardened brothers of the wall. He doesn’t care for hunting, cannot fight with a sword, and even proclaims himself a coward. But when Sam tells Jon that he doesn’t like high places, Jon can no longer keep his thoughts to himself. Jon asks in baffled frustration, “Are you afraid of everything?”

Fear is a Motivator—But the Wrong Foundation

Posted on June 7, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

In the past, I’ve often been motivated by fear or worry. Worry about health. Suddenly eat better for a few days. Worry about a deadline. Work to exhaustion. Worry about passing a test. Cram for hours the day before. Fear tends to get us going on some level, but it makes a terrible foundation.

Tag: fear