It started like this: I was in the shower when it hit me–I’m afraid of the first blast of water from the shower head.
I realize many many will think this fear insignificant (and truly, it may be), but it is a valid fear none-the-less.
I’ll do anything to avoid that first shot of water coming from a shower head. I dodge it; turn the head…anything to save myself from the impending torrent.
Based on my dramatic response you would think I’ve been seriously damaged by an icy shower blast (which in truth I have been during my travels to locations lacking the benefit of working water heaters). I dodge the stream, backing up to the edge of the tub on my tiptoes, and live a life in fear of the initial water soak that comes from the shower head.
My realization and acknowledgement of this fear led me to ponder other things that scare me. Take for instance my fear of nature: I love backpacking, but everytime I go hiking I am petrified that a bear will eat me.
(Not to be confused with this nice bear family)
While swimming in the ocean I have to breathe deeply so as to take my focus off the fact that I’m afraid of shark attacks (even in knee-deep waters).
Even in the city my fears plague me. Case in point: Parking ramp entrance/exit gates. Whenever I drive through one I can’t help but think that one of these days a gate is going to fall on me and axe my car in half (despite the nice smile the parking ramp attendant flashes me as they take my cash).
The situation is even worse when I drive into gated communities. Here I have an overactive sense that the gates themselves think it would be fun to play demolition derby and smash my car accordion style.
Well, that’s pretty much it for my list of the things I fear. But don’t you worry, because I’ve developed many coping strategies which help me overcome my fears.
For instance: while showering I have perfected the art of shower head angles–I ensure it is always pointing away from my feet.
While camping I sing (loudly) songs such as “Jesus loves me” and “Whistle while you work”. This seems to scare the bears away. I am also good at acting like I’m a big, scary person (my act is so good that I think I’ve pretty much intimidated them).
While swimming I do my best to avoid looking like a sea turtle. This is because I’ve heard that sharks attack surfers for the very reason that they resemble sea turtles (sharks think that sea turtles are tasty morsels).
And while driving through gates I pretend I’m 007…and drive at lightning fast speeds (this seems to have worked thus far).
And I laugh. And when I laugh I remember that life is full of joy and I don’t have much to fear from it.
So how about you? What do you fear?
Here’s to laughter and the unique, quirky ways we’ve been made-
Saralynn
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February 22, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Sammy
I imagine that Shark saying, “There comes my tasty turtle-lookalike morsel!” God forbid!
February 22, 2006 at 5:37 pm
SaraLynn
Thanks, Sammy- =+) See–you made me laugh!
Say…you didn’t mention what you are afraid of–
sara
February 22, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Tommy
Clowns! I have this unnatural fear of clowns. I am 32 and I hate clowns. Creepy… Last year my wife and I went to Cirque du Soliel and I was on edge the whole time. Weird, I know. Also, dolls. The lifelike dolls that just sit and stare at you. No matter where you go in the room, they are staring at you. When we go to my parents cabin in North Georgia, my stepmom has this porcelin doll that sits in the bedroom and I literally put in on the shelf in the closet with a sweater over it. I am a 232 lb. sissy. Maybe I should see someone about this. Great post:)
February 22, 2006 at 10:45 pm
SaraLynn
Hey Tommy-Thanks for sharing. A lot of people seem to be afraid of clowns! Don’t worry though–I think you are in good company with the things you fear!
=+)
Sara
February 23, 2006 at 1:23 am
Lu
rofl!!
Yeah, that first burst of water from the showerhead really freaks me out too. So do clowns. They just aren’t natural.
Lately I’ve become deathly afraid of metal surfaces. Since moving to the South I’ve become quite “electrified” apparently. I seem to build up static charges with every move I make, so every time I touch metal I get huge shocks. And I mean HUGE. I think I could power all LA and New York City with the electricity I generate. So I now stare down metal surfaces long and hard…. I look like I’m trying to scare them off but really I’m just trying to screw my own courage to the sticking place! Nasty hobbites…..
February 24, 2006 at 1:14 am
Saralynn
Dear Lu-
Thanks for the comments. You made me laugh…your hyperbolic words give a great mental picture of how not fun it must be for you to touch metal surfaces in the south! Thanks for stopping by!
saralynn
February 24, 2006 at 1:43 am
Nathan
I love the honesty of your post
There are a good number of things that could paralyze us and prevent enjoying life. Personally, I turn on the shower before I get in so that the cold blast doesn’t hit me, and I take a pistol when I go backpacking, hehe.
I am afraid of sharks though. As much as I LOVE the ocean, I’m so flipping paranoid. Great post!
March 6, 2006 at 6:11 am
Sammy
I think I know what I tend to be afraid of. I fear the darkness. You gotta figure I grew up in a place without electricity. Whenever I would be late and had to come home in the dark I would run so hard. It made me a good long distance runner…a good case of turning negatives into positives. Yea, we didn’t have cars either so we walked to places most of the time. I fear all kinds of darkness including the intellectual.
March 23, 2006 at 3:22 am
phoenixheart
You are so funny! Reading this post put such a huge smile on my face.
August 10, 2006 at 8:56 pm
think
I have a strange fear of potato eyes. I don’t know what I think they’ll do to me, but I can’t stand to look at them or touch them and I get a little adrenalin going to see them. Isn’t that odd? I’m making potato soup tonight with some older potatoes and I remembered your blog and thought I’d punch in and let you know about my little hidden fear (Actually, my husband knows about it and laughs himself silly when he gets out the old potatoes.). I have to conquer it now and go back and finish peeling them.
Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day and commenting, by the way. I appreciate the interaction!