There’s no denying it—kids have a lot more fun than adults. This isn’t to say that being an adult is a completely boring existence; there are plenty of exciting things about being an adult! But, in general, kids wake up every day with a mindset that allows them to be more open to fun. They don’t often overthink or overanalyze. They just live.

As we get older, it’s the fear we’ve built up in association with certain activities or behaviors that stops us from trying new things—things that could prove to be really amazing. You can’t really help this fear from occurring. It’s a natural response to the memories and experiences in the back of your mind.

What you can control is the way you respond to fear. You can let it stop you in your tracks completely, or you can try your best to crush it and come out stronger on the other side.

What is really holding you back?

Think about it. Is it really the fear itself that’s stopping you from trying whatever it is you’re setting out to do, or is it a potential result of trying it? Whenever we’re about to embark on something new, our brains naturally want to know what’s going to happen in the end. For a lot of us, our brains lean toward potential negative outcomes. When you slow down and really consider the benefits of trying something new though, it’s easier to see the potential good that can come from it and overlook the bad.

Keep your mind in the present.

It’s easy to use children as an example for lack of fear. They don’t have a lot of life experience. They haven’t been knocked down nearly as many times as most adults have. This lack of fear lets them fly down a mountain on skis, attempt a backflip on a trampoline without a second thought, or run across the street without looking. Consequence isn’t in their vocabulary just yet. And while it’s this sense of potential trouble that saves us sometimes, we all have the ability to live without consequence. Instead of analyzing what may happen, try to think in the moment.

Dig deep.

When you look inside yourself for where your fear is coming from, it can become clear where your hesitation really lies. A negative experience in childhood or at any point in your life, really, is what stops many people from trying new things later on. Not making a sports team, falling off a bike, getting made fun of during a speech—these are all seemingly insignificant troubles of growing up but can leave you with a lifelong fear. What’s important to remember is that you aren’t the same person you were when those negative experiences happened—and the outcome will probably not be the same when you try again.

Whether you want to sign up for an art class, take up a new fitness class, or join a club, if it’s fear that’s holding you back, think about these tips and take the leap you deserve.