Today's prompt is: "The thing(s) you're most afraid of." Well, I was basically born with a fear of water. I don't know why, but my mother could barely even give me a sink bath when I was a baby, and when I got a little older, she had to force me to take a shower once a week.But I got over that fear. I had to teach myself. Nobody could help me. Any attempt to teach me to swim or go in the water only made the problem worse. It was when I saw my family having fun in the pool at my grandmother's trailer park. I wanted to have fun with them, so I decided to teach myself how to swim.
The first step was to sit on the steps of the pool at the shallow end. Then I began holding on to the edge, and walking to the farthest point where my feet were still firmly on the floor of the pool. The next step was to push off from the steps to grab the edge, while still staying withing the shallow part of the pool. I would push my legs behind me farther and farther until I could "glide" to the edge.
 |
| This is also my background photo. I took it at Hesperia Lake. |
But I'm still afraid of spiders. I've just never had a really good reason to get rid of that fear, although I've done a bit of work so that I'm not quite as terrified as I used to be. I'm also afraid of throwing up, but I think that one is rational. Nobody likes it, and I don't really want to "practice." I'd rather just never have to throw up ever in my life. Ever, ever again. Ever.
Hi Kristen, that's great that you conquered your fear of water, I love swimming! I had spiders on my list too, don't think I can conquer that somehow, I don't want to either. Where do we get our fears from?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, they are strange things. It's not like you can get a fear from genes. My mother loves spiders, and my dad doesn't care. My dad played water polo, and my mom always loved water. Obviously, the fears come from somewhere though. Is it evidence of God? Perhaps we are born with fears we are supposed to have to help us grow into the people we are to become.
DeleteHi I am afraid of many things but spiders and water are not on my list. Glad you were able to conquer you fear of water.
ReplyDeleteCame by from
http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you don't have to be afraid of those things. Getting over fears is a pain, especially a fear of water! :)
DeleteSpiders are icky. That's why I write about them so much.
ReplyDeleteHaha... I'm too afraid of them to write about them too much. It gives me the creepy-crawlies.
DeleteIt's awesome that you were able to conquer your fear of water. Many people never conquer their fears but allow them to grow even more severe as life goes on. I used to fear spiders but I constantly remind myself that they are good, the ones on my back deck eat bugs and I hate bugs too. So it's all good.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't like to kill them (or have them killed), but I do try to get other people to take them outside for me. :)
DeleteI hate puking. Seriously hate it. I don't care if I "feel better" afterward; I'd rather just not puke.
ReplyDeleteExactly. It just sucks (the lifeforce out of me).
DeleteCockroaches and heights- heights logical, cockroaches not so logical and provides plenty of amusement for my teenage sons!
ReplyDeleteI'm not logical. I love heights! :)
DeleteKudos to you for teaching yourself how to overcome the fear of water and being able to do it successfully :)
ReplyDeleteSpiders are more-so creepy to me. Knowing that they eat other insects makes them kinda cool in a way since I'm not a fan of insects. As a result, I'm more likely to kill an insect than I am a spider. I usually just leave them alone and let them go on about their business because they can be helpful.
Puking ugh...I don't even want to think about it! lol.
~Nicole
www.madlabpost.com
Yeah, I don't like killing things, except ants. I just get someone else to take them outside for me. Except crickets, because they are good luck, and I love their music. :)
DeleteLOL! Great post. I love how you taught yourself how to swim and the reason behind it. Yes, spiders are horrid. Throwing up is bad, but sometimes it's a blessing, say when you've drunk too much (that hasn't happened in a looong time for me). Writer’s Mark
ReplyDeleteSorry, I can never be happy to puke. I would rather writhe in pain. But also, I don't drink. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMy husband has a fear of water. He doesn't know why but he just doesn't like being in water. And having water in his face makes him crazy. And the sad thing is I love the ocean and the beach!
ReplyDeleteI still have an odd gag reflex whenever my nose goes under the water, and I begin swallowing uncontrollably, over and over, really fast. It's weird, but I don't mind it anymore.
DeleteGreat work, teaching yourself to swim, and to actually overcome your fear is really commendable. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt's awesome you could overcome (one) of your fears.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSwimming is great once you learn, spiders, well that's another story! GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie, coming in August
ReplyDeleteI love the synopsis of your book. I put it on my wishlist!
DeleteI too am afraid of spiders and throwing up. In fact I'd rather lie around writhing in agony than puke! I tried to deal with my spider phobia by closely observing a wolf spider in a kid's bug catcher. It backfired - up close and personal with a magnifying glass, a wolf spider grooming her spiky mandibles is a gruesome sight! Not recommended, but if you can teach yourself to swim ...
ReplyDeleteI just said that exact thing on a reply! I'd rather writhe in pain.
DeleteThe worst spiders are what I call "skin spiders." They have a huge body covered in what looks like human skin. So nasty!
I used to be afraid of spiders and most other insects. I read that exposure therapy worked for getting rid of fears so I made myself pick up a spider, a beetle and a cricket. After a few times they really didn't bother me anymore. But I still have a ridiculous phobia of bee's, wasps ect. Just freak out when I see them. Exposure therapy won't work because i can't get close enough to a bee without freaking out. lol
ReplyDeleteDark Thoughts Blog
I thought about getting that professional exposure therapy, but then I decided I don't want exposure therapy, and why should I put myself through agony? LOL I'm glad you could do it for some of your fears though. :)
DeleteJust lost my comment...if you see a duplicate, feel free to nix the other one. :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was terrified of water when she was little. She was okay in the bath or wading pool, but even the shallow end of the big pool had her clinging to us so hard, we could hardly breathe! She got over it too, though it happened so gradually I'm not sure when.
Yeah, fear is a strange thing. I'm glad she was able to get over her fear as well. :)
Delete