This is one of my proudest moments. I had just plank-crawled through a narrow tunnel inside a cave and made it out the other side to scale up this rock. As someone with claustrophobic issues, this was a big win in my book.
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When I travel, people ask me all the time, “how are you not afraid?”; “and you’re not scared?”; or something of the kind.
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Let me be clear: I’m afraid. A LOT. I’ve started hyperventilating walking in narrow, suffocating tunnels under a cool old fort. I’ve cried during bad turbulence. I’ve felt my heart rate jack up and my skin crawl as darkness falls on the lonely, unfamiliar, backwoods road I’m driving.
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But I resolved a long time ago not to let irrational fear stop me from things I love. So I bear it, try different methods to deal with it - and just go on.
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Rational fears are useful. They tell us when a situation is dangerous and we need to get out. These should always be heeded.
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But if you’re afraid of something and know it’s not all that rational..find something that motivates you more than your fear is holding you back. Talk to a therapist. Do whatever helps. But most of all, know that EVERYONE is afraid of something. Don’t think everyone else is brave and you’re just failing. We’re all a little bit scared inside.
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