Starting at the Bottom: Moving Through Fear, Grief & Powerlessness

Exploring fear, grief, and powerlessness as we begin our 22-week rise up the Emotional Guidance Scale with awareness, honesty, and gentle shifts.

This week marks the beginning of our 22-week journey up the Emotional Guidance Scale, and we’re starting at the very bottom on purpose. These lower emotions — fear, grief, depression, powerlessness — are often the quiet blocks standing between us and the higher vibrations we long for: love, peace, joy, and ease.

If you want to walk this journey with structure and support, I put together a free guide you can download:

👉 EGS Ultimate Guide: https://www.insightsandilluminations.com/f/egs-ultimate-guide

It’s a beautiful companion for this 22-week climb.

Sometimes fear is loud.
Sometimes it’s subtle and sneaky.

With the recent 40+ days of the government shutdown, there’s been plenty of collective fear swirling around. But the more interesting fear is the quiet kind — the one you don’t notice until you go looking.

So I asked myself the simple question:
“What am I afraid of?”

And the answer that rose up surprised even me:
My car breaking down.

I had to laugh.
Where did that come from?

Oh… all those fear-driven extended warranty ads targeting older vehicles. It slipped into my subconscious without me even realizing it.

So I explored it.
Walked around inside it.
Let it show me what it needed to show.

Then I looked upward — to the next emotion on the scale. Something in the neighborhood of insecurity, guilt, or unworthiness.

And the thought that came was:
“Look at you, Gwen… you bought into the fear.”
Guilty! And honestly, the humor of it shifted everything a little lighter.

That’s the work for this week.
Not jumping from fear to joy — that’s too far.
Just finding one thought that feels a tiny bit better.

Try This

Ask yourself:
“What am I afraid of?”
Let the softest, quietest answer rise.
Then look gently for the next emotion up. Even a smile counts.

A Note on the Book

This is the very process shaping the book I’m writing. I’m moving through these emotions right alongside you — gathering insights, stories, and shifts in real time.

We’re rising together, one honest moment at a time. 💛

Author Bio

Gwen Peterson is a spiritual mentor, author, and founder of Insights & Illuminations. She teaches practical, soulful tools to help you reconnect with your inner guidance and navigate life with clarity and grace. Explore her books, website, and YouTube channel for more teachings, meditations, and inspiration.

Categories: : EGS