I’ve been doing a little research on phobias and it has been quite interesting and sometimes even amusing! A phobia is an intense and unrealistic fear of simple things. I found out that there is even a name for a fear of phobias: phobophobia!
I actually have a couple phobias of my own and thought it was time to come clean. I…(sigh) have a telephone phobia. Now that sounds like I’m afraid of phones, but it’s actually a fear of phoning people. If I have ever phoned you, then know that I have procrastinated for days and that as I punched in your number, my stomach was churning. I know it’s weird, but phobias aren’t known for being logical!
My other phobia is driving. I think that this stems back from some recurring nightmares that I had as a child. I would dream that my brother, sister and I were in our little green car on the steep hill by my grandparents place. The car would start to roll backwards down the hill, gaining momentum every second. I needed to stop the car, but I never did. Obviously the dream reflects how out of control my life felt at the time.
I’ve been pushing myself to drive more frequently, but a simple trip to towns feel like a life or death situation. When you come back from a shopping trip you might think, “Great, the shopping’s done!” while my thoughts are, “Wow, I didn’t die!”
I have found that if I don’t push myself to confront my phobias then I never move past them and they hang over my life like a dark cloud. I have been forcing myself to make phone calls and to drive. I don’t want to live in fear anymore.
So why am I baring my soul and sharing my fears publicly? I feel that when we hide our fears they have power over us, but when we bring them into the open, into the light then much of the fear can be dispelled. And who knows, maybe as I share my own struggles to overcome my fear others will be encouraged to face their own phobias.
I thought I saw you driving in town on Saturday, maybe I was right! I don’t like using the phone either, but once I start talking on one, then everything’s fine and the call goes on and on and on and…… 🙂
I was in town on Saturday! We hit some wild rain on the way home and by the time I got home I felt like I needed a nap! It’s the same way with me and the phone, once I start talking then there’s no problem! (And yes, the conversations can go on and on!) 🙂
I used to be so afraid of driving as well. I am still quite uncomfy driving in PG or other “big” places. I am currently afraid to go outside in the dark (like to my van to get something). Creeps me out!
So nice to hear that I’m not the only one dealing with fears and that you are getting over your fear of driving! (There’s hope for me!) 🙂
Good for you for confronting your fears! I agree that sometimes throwing them out in the open can help!! I hope this helps you take a step closer to overcoming them! 🙂
Thanks Donetta! It’s a journey that I feel God’s leading me into. 🙂