I don’t. I mean I do, but I really don’t. Clear as mud? I feel empty when I don’t challenge my agoraphobia. Facing a fear makes me feel alive. That initial feeling of desperation is soon replaced with euphoria and the world just seems right – even if for just a few hours after. I face my agoraphobia at least once a day and on most days, a few times. About 1 time out of 50 it results in full blown panic and those are the most satisfying, dare I say, the most fun. Try it and see.
What scares you? Do you ever challenge that fear? Why not? You should try it. Seriously. Go out and find that one thing that scares you and do it (assuming it’s safe).
Afraid of elevators getting stuck? Find the oldest elevator in the oldest building in the oldest part of your city and ride it to the top and pay attention to every *dangerous* sound it makes.
Afraid of spiders? Bring your ipod to the arthropod exibit at the zoo and sit for an hour.
Afraid of bridges? Come walk with me across the Golden Gate bridge on Sunday.
Afraid of big crowds? Go to the shopping mall on Saturday and walk from end to end five times.
You get the point. But the goal is to BE afraid, to FEEL scared, to GET emotional. You’re not gonna die, you’ll just be a bit uncomfortable. But the next time you face that exact same scenario, it will be much, much easier.
AvoidanceJunkie
