Feel the fear and do it anyway

Alizarin

nadateturbe lifts, no way, hated them for a few years, similarly stairs or escalators with ‘drops’ at the side, I need a wall or two preferably. Any phone calls, spiders, driving are no problem, but some days seemingly trite actions are difficult and no matter how much I want to, feeling the fear and doing it is just too much.
We’re all different.

"Giving an opinion on gransnet ?'

Ha ha ha ha ha nadateturbe. Me too!!!!

My oldest friend booked us tickets to see the Nero exhibition at the British Museum this week. It must be over 2 years since I last went into London and I was surprised how nervous I was about booking a train ticket and using the tube once we got into Waterloo. Talking to my friend I found she was just as bad as I was. In fact of course neither of us missed our trains, travelling to the museum was simplicity itself, we met some very nice people and had a lovely pub lunch. I shall feel much happier about our next trip.

Definitely flying. Walking through a tunnel. Using a lift. Talking on the telephone. Giving an opinion on gransnet ?

I’m with you Farnorth, regarding phoning. I’m always reluctant to phone my very, very busy family,. So I either text them, or wait for them to ring.

None of the above faze me. I am a bit anxious about many things but only in a general way. I have to do a tax return for the first time ever in my life which will cost me some nerves, but I'll just grit my teeth and get on with it.

I had only driven locally but when my D asked if I would look after my GCs for a few days each week I had a panic. To drive to her house involved 2 motorways and a dual carriageway.

The first time I did it I was a bit weak at the knees when I arrived but I did do it and continued to drive there every week for 11 years.

Spiders don't bother me at all and I can book things over the phone happily.

When I was first married I found shopping in the butchers very intimidating!
All the different names for cuts. The confidant conversations between staff and regulars. Everyone watching what you brought. Listening and commenting behind knowing glances.
Brings me out in a cold sweat even now
School playground waiting with Mums was the same for me.
Technology gives me clammy hands nowadays (amongst other things). But, and it was before covid, I booked all aspects of a holiday (plane,train,hotel,daytrips,restaurant etc) on line. Despite a few hiccups it all worked out well.
I felt a bit better for it like you Maw

I'm fine once I get on the plane, it's getting through the airport, particularly Heathrow, which causes me anxiety.

Not having flown for 18 months nor likely to in the foreseeable future, I think I will be in a state of high anxiety next time we go and have to change planes partway.

I don't mind dealing with spiders, phoning someone to have work done or flying anywhere BUT I hate being a passenger in a car (I gave up driving years ago because of anxiety). I can just about tolerate short journeys but longer journeys - especially on a motorway - and I am really scared. When we go on holiday we book an early flight so we set off for the airport about 2.30am so hardly any traffic and we only have to go on the motorway for about 9 minutes. I would dearly love to conquer this but 'feel the fear etc' doesn't work for me when it comes to getting over this problem

GrannygGravy I feel your pain! We flew to Dublin once and my husband was in hysterics as I said I was keeping my coat on on the flight 'just in case'. He said 'In case of what?' I said 'I don't know'.

Gingster

Well done Maw. It’s strange how over the years we get anxious about small things.
I don’t drive on motorways or dual carriageways. Get panicky, although I think I’m a good driver. Don’t like driving anywhere really but have to make myself. No one has time or patience on the road.

I loathe dual carriageways and motorways but feel much better on a single carriageway. Head says it’s irrational, heart and stomach don’t agree. I prefer to drive on roads I know.

I think it’s to do with speed and recognising that my reactions are not as fast as they used to be. It’s the same when I’m a passenger. I just don’t like being driven in a fast car going at normal speed. My children have all commented on me holding on tight to the door.

I plucked up courage and went to the local hand car wash last week. Those men are scary somehow. However, the car looks like new. It was only £8 too.

Casdon

Driving doesn’t cause me any anxiety at all, I’ll happily drive anywhere without thinking anything of it, and I’m happy to take the car to the garage, etc. too.

Don’t ever put me in a room with a spider, or expect me to ring anybody to get work done in the house though, both those freak me out. Illogical aren’t we?

I don’t mind spiders at all, but I too have a fear of ringing people to get work done in the house. In fact I am a bit scared of ringing anyone. Totally illogical.

On the whole I avoid things I fear. I don’t drive or swim. I’m not sure I exactly fear swimming, but it just doesn’t appeal to me.

Well done, MawBe.

Something really simple got me in a tizzy the other day. Normally DH always fills the car with fuel but he couldn't so I had to do it and got very anxious but it was simple, easy to do and easy to pay. How stupid was that to worry about it?

Kate1949

Well done everyone. Flying terrifies me but I do it anyway. Well I did pre pandemic. I even flew to New York after much panic, fear and time spent in the loo at the airport

I have a flying phobia, standing joke in our family as I am prone to rushing to the loo in the departure lounge to throw-up .

I am still not a good flyer, but after flying to America just me and a 9yr old I had to be a big girl and just carry on regardless especially as we have family and close friends overseas.

Well done everyone. Flying terrifies me but I do it anyway. Well I did pre pandemic. I even flew to New York after much panic, fear and time spent in the loo at the airport

I dread when it's my turn to present the latest title to my book group. I have a grasshopper mind and find joined-up thinking a challenge. My delivery is worthy of Boris, with lots of um-ing and er-ing. Thank goodness nobody seems to mind when I resort to reading out comments I've found on Google.
I do envy articulate people!

Well done Maw.

I’ve just calculated that I haven’t been on a train for thirteen years. I don’t think it will be happening any time soon but as a true country bumpkin I don’t even know how to buy a ticket! ?

I don`t like talking to people i don`t know over the phone but i have no choice.

Going to the dentist does it for me but we have to go!

Blimey MawBe I would feel the fear too it’s six quid here to get you car hand washed
I have a bit of a irrational fear when driving my husbands car on strange roads no problem in my little Astra but in his Jag which feels huge I am not so confident at all. It is actually better on slip roads ect as it’s automatic and has a very fast pick up. It also has parking sensors but seeing over the bonnet is troublesome as I am 5’2

I wouldn't say 'fear' but I'm terrible for putting off phoning people, because I'm sure I'll pick a bad time for them.
Of course, it's easily dealt with if it is a bad time or if they don't answer.

Well done Maw. I have become very anxious about lots of things in the last year. Driving is one of them. DH does most of it now but in a couple of weeks I have to drive to DD2 in Kent. The A13 and M25 and on the way back the dreaded Dartford Tunnel. Ive always hated the tunnel, the large lorries in the left hand lane scare me.
If I want to go to see DD2 I have to put my big girl pants on and 'feel the fear and do it anyway '.