147: Fear vs Confidence Loops
Two powerful reinforcing cycles.
![147: Fear vs Confidence Loops](/content/images/size/w1460/2024/03/tfj-147_titlecard.jpg)
These are two frameworks we learned in birth class.
They are both reinforcing feedback loops :
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/2024/03/Fear-Cycle_Color.jpg)
This particular model was coined back in the 1920s by a dubious British obstetrician. But I think it has wide modern relevance, far beyond just pregnancy and childbirth.
It can basically be extended to any context where we encounter fear, tension, or pain.
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/2024/03/Fear-Cycle_FEAR.jpg)
What pushes people towards fear and tension? Or to confidence and connection?
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/2024/03/Fear-Cycle_RELAXATION.jpg)
And from a broader social perspective, how might we creatively shift more aspects of society towards the second type of cycle and away from the first?
Related:
045: Different Scales
What are the smallest / largest things?
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2020/10/ep45-titlecard.jpg)
137: Four Senses
Paying attention to your attention.
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2023/04/tfj-137_titlecard.jpg)
043: Caregivers
Breaking things is easy. Repairing is harder.
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2020/10/ep43-titlecard.jpg)
073: Pain vs. Suffering
How are pain and suffering different?
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2021/05/PainSuff_TitleCard.jpg)
035: Plant Care
Are you taking care of your plants?
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2020/08/ep35-titlecard.jpg)
116: Hidden Mindfulness
Embedded software meditations.
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2022/05/tfj-116_titlecard.jpg)
027: Life is a Jumble
The stories we tell are the ones we believe.
![](https://www.thefirejar.com/content/images/size/w1200/2020/06/Ep27-titlecard.jpg)