Fears we've conquered

[Strangefox]

Ok, this will be a funny example. I am really afraid of spiders. Yesterday I saw a spider that had fallen in a bath tub. Well - thought I - I am going to travel the US in two months - can't a touch a tiny spider?? And I took it out! I even let it walk a bit along my arm. To tell you the truth, the spider was not very big, 1 centimetre may be (with its legs, of course!). So it was not that of a challenge really. But I am proud of myself anyway. May be the next step will be to hold a slightly bigger one?? (But not a black widow!! )

In fact, I have conquered many of my fears within the last two years, some of them much more serious than holding spiders. And I found it really liberating and empowering. The very fact that I am going to study in the US is a result of me crushing a number of fears that made my life very difficult. One of these fears was that of problems (not a math problems, - life problems!). I was afraid that things would go wrong and I wouldn't be able to pull my act together. But the really funny thing is that when things did go wrong, I coped! And it was such a nice feeling. And now, though I am worried about different things from time to time, it's by far not the same as before. I may be uncomfortable thinking about some problems I might encounter, but I am not that afraid of encountering them, really. Actually, I want to have to solve some of them whereas several years ago I would have preferred to hide into my imaginary world of white unicorns. I am not saying that I am strong like a superman or something. When things go wrong, I can panic and I can be depressed but in the end I always win. And each time I do it, it is a bit easier.

And what about you? How many fears have you conquered recently?

[gellert]

I'm very phobic of vomiting, but after spending four months in China (and undergoing an emergency appendectomy overseas) and seeing far too many drunk people vomiting in gutters, I think I'm over the part of my fear that entails other people throwing up. I even used a bathroom that had vomit in it!

As far as the fear of myself vomiting -- well, still working on that, but I made it through appendicitis without ever getting sick, and honestly I now feel like there's no need to indulge in the sort of paranoia that I used to.

What I've started to learn is that you can't sit around and wait for good things to happen to you, or for fears to vanish. You have to chase after the things you want and constantly challenge yourself. It's the only way to ever improve.

Great thread idea, thanks!

[Strangefox]

What I've started to learn is that you can't sit around and wait for good things to happen to you, or for fears to vanish. You have to chase after the things you want and constantly challenge yourself. It's the only way to ever improve.

Exactly!

And congrats on conquering your fear!

[neuropsych76]

I like this thread

I think its cool how as we continue to grow as people through life little things like conquering a mild phobia add up to our overall advancement.

For me: I'm afraid of heights. Last summer I climbed up this super tall lighthouse and actually looked over the edge once I got to the top. It was an awful feeling while I was up there but I was glad I actually did it and I took pictures for proof that I did!! I also went to an amusement park a month ago and rode all sorts of really high roller coasters. It seems as long as the coaster is going fast, it's tolerable for me

[Strangefox]

I like this thread

I think its cool how as we continue to grow as people through life little things like conquering a mild phobia add up to our overall advancement.

For me: I'm afraid of heights. Last summer I climbed up this super tall lighthouse and actually looked over the edge once I got to the top. It was an awful feeling while I was up there but I was glad I actually did it and I took pictures for proof that I did!! I also went to an amusement park a month ago and rode all sorts of really high roller coasters. It seems as long as the coaster is going fast, it's tolerable for me

This reminds me of my fear of roller coasters! Not that they are high but that they move so fast! I guess I need to try a not very fast one when I get to an American amusement park...

[UnlikelyGrad]

People who have met me find this hard to believe, but I am terribly afraid of walking up to strangers to start a conversation. Sometimes I even find it hard to talk to people I know!

I've worked on this fear for many, many years and have gotten quite good at doing it--but it still scares the heck out of me! So I don't know if that counts as conquering a fear or not.

[Strangefox]

People who have met me find this hard to believe, but I am terribly afraid of walking up to strangers to start a conversation. Sometimes I even find it hard to talk to people I know!

I've worked on this fear for many, many years and have gotten quite good at doing it--but it still scares the heck out of me! So I don't know if that counts as conquering a fear or not.

I think that if people who know you would find it hard to believe that you have this fear, it means that you've conquered it!

I don't think that conquering a fear means not having it - like at all. It means being able to surpress it when necessary, even if deep down inside of you it still survives.

[UnlikelyGrad]

I think that if people who know you would find it hard to believe that you have this fear, it means that you've conquered it!

I don't think that conquering a fear means not having it - like at all. It means being able to surpress it when necessary, even if deep down inside of you it still survives.

Thanks, Strangefox!

[Strangefox]

i have a fear of spiders as well...

but i dont intend on conquering it lolz

[ktel]

I occasionally have anxiety when it comes to talking or phoning people I don't know and haven't talked to before. Sometimes I don't even like ordering take out over the phone. But I can usually talk myself out of it and stop being so irrational. The anxiety is the worst when I have not prepared what I am going to say, otherwise it's usually OK.

[Behavioral]

I occasionally have anxiety when it comes to talking or phoning people I don't know and haven't talked to before. Sometimes I don't even like ordering take out over the phone. But I can usually talk myself out of it and stop being so irrational. The anxiety is the worst when I have not prepared what I am going to say, otherwise it's usually OK.

I had a little bit of anxiety. I usually just kinda trick myself into committing -- i.e., I answer the phone or I start dialing the number so I'm forced to talk. It wasn't ever really bad to the point where I'd miss a call altogether. Hell, eventually I took a job as a phone operator at the Red Cross soliciting blood donations haha

[Strangefox]

I occasionally have anxiety when it comes to talking or phoning people I don't know and haven't talked to before. Sometimes I don't even like ordering take out over the phone. But I can usually talk myself out of it and stop being so irrational. The anxiety is the worst when I have not prepared what I am going to say, otherwise it's usually OK.

Oh, I had this anxiety too when I was younger. Even now I can sometimes feel a little worried before calling somebody I don't know but I am not afraid of it anymore...