If you live in Florida or other humid climate, you completely the feeling expressed in the title. As I’m writing this, the humidity in central Florida is 100%, and it’s not even raining.

If you walk outside, your clothes and hair stick to your skin. Perspiration immediately pops out and you find it difficult to suck in a breath. It is all-consuming and agonizing. It’s still May and we’re already praying for November.

Fear is a humid emotion. It engulfs you. Sticks to you. Makes you gasp for air. The things writers face in their journey are, without a doubt, frightening. And, just like a summer day in Florida, it begins early and gets worse as the day goes by. A storm brews on the horizon and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. You just know that in a few hours, you’ll have a booming storm to contend with.

There are several things I’ve learned from decades in Florida that will help you overcome the humidity of fear. Or, at least you’ll be able to endure it.

1) Get things done early. The earlier the better! Floridians know to run errands, exercise, and do other activities BEFORE things heat up. Otherwise, it’ll be unbearable. As a writer, the earlier you do your writing chores, the less you’ll fear when things heat up.

2) Expect the Storm. In the summer, it rains every, single day in central Florida. Without fail, right on queue the thunder cells rise up from the clouds and begin to turn dark. As a writer, storms WILL come. Expect it and prepare for it. If you do that, you’ll be equipped to handle the roar of thunder in your writing journey.

3) Have a shelter. One of the most inviting times in my day is when I arrive home in the evenings. I open my door and the cool, dry air rushes in. The air is light and a crisp 69 degrees and instantly begins to strip away the sticky humidity. Within moments, I feel so much better. As a writer, you need a place you can “come home” to. It may be a physical place, or it can be book, a song or a friend. When you feel engulfed by the humidity of fear, you can run into it and instantly feel better.

Fear is a good thing. It heightens our awareness and propels us to do our best. But it is also a hot, muggy emotion that can bog us down if we don’t prepare for it. Drink a lot. For writers, that fluid is encouragement and support from groups like My Book Therapy, your friends and family who want you to live your dream.

Remember, with a little knowledge of what to expect and proper preparation, you can get through the hot, sticky humidity of fear!

When have you gotten caught in the storm of fear? Share a comment here.

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Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.