What is fear? What are the things you are afraid of? Sometimes fears are fears but sometimes, you just have to face it and you will become a better person.
Sometimes, you may fear water especially on a cold and freezing morning. It’s like – one day that you wake up feeling cold and don’t want to get out of bed. Then, you stare at the ceiling and fear the coldness of water. You may be suffering from a temporary case of aquaphobia. But hey, there’s a remedy – have some water heated on the stove or in some rich-man case, get a shower heater. But what if you don’t have gas for the stove or money for the heater?
There is something called Peniaphobia – the fear of having no money or being poor. I think when you’re used to it without money in your wallet, that is if you have a wallet, then this phobia might be considered inapplicable at all! Sometimes, getting used to things takes away the fear.
Are you afraid of heights? Then, maybe you have Acrophobia. I used to have that until I started trying ziplines. I once went superwoman-like on a zipline in Zambales without even shouting. I don’t know if that was conquering my fear or the effects of taking my maintenance dose. Funny, how emotions can be feared or even suppressed – artificially.
I once had a zipline experience where I literally stopped midway. It was a new zipline and the thought was scary but an attendant aided me to go back. Judging from things, the attendant was a pro so I figured out that the zipline attendant usually has people stuck midway, where he had to go and pull. They said that getting stuck midway means you’re heavy and was because of the wind force but after a few thoughts, it just happens – a mechanical error in the zipline perhaps. For my own sake, I never tried that zipline again although I hear they have better harnesses now.
I have a fear of earthquakes – seismophobia. I was a 90”s child and the earthquake was a scary one then. In 1990, it struck Baguio City, collapsing buildings and people died. That’s why when I feel a quake, I get scared. Last 4.5 magnitude earthquake, I was in the office alone. I ducked, covered and held under my table. Good thing, my desk could hold me under.
Natural disasters are hard, but preparedness makes up for things. Mindfulness and grounding techniques is a good thing. Thinking of what I can do to ease the fear. Fear may freeze you, but for the sake of survival, let us not panic.
I heard that due to the recent quake, a lot of students were panicky and to a point – had Seismophobia. I can’t blame them, every fear or emotion is valid. We don’t have the right to question others’ feelings because it is beyond our control. Luckily, psychological first aiders did help. Kudos to the Baguio Mental Health Council professionals!
Now, I’m scared of rappelling but I joined an emergency response team. I am supposed to learn first aid and some stuff. I even got a radio – the walky-talky one! I might be the one who needs rescue but then I guess, I am willing to try the safer way and perhaps even help the community as well. Well, fingers crossed! If you want to join me, then message me.
It’s not about conquering fears really. It is becoming who we are – with fear or without!