Things I’m Afraid Of

(Not including obvious stuff like people dying, people getting hurt, the house burning down, that stuff that’s on everyone‘s list)

Heights above water – bridges, airplanes, whatever – if it’s above water, I don’t want anything to do with it. I like swimming, but even a fishing dock freaks me out.

Driving in busy traffic – I live in the sticks, my commute to work is a three minute drive where I might come across 5 other cars. This is good because multi-lane freeway traffic FREAKS me out. Like, hyperventilating, can’t drive in it, can barely ride in it freaks me out. I think a lot of this fear is due to my really poor depth perception. Either way, it’s very annoying, frustrating, and really limits my plans at times.

Getting burned by the oven – yep, this is part of why I don’t cook. I’m a huge klutz and reaching into the oven freaks me out. One of my last attempts to cook with something other than a cookie sheet resulted in me dumping a casserole down the oven door because I tilted it too much in an effort to not touch anything hot.

When I was little, I use to be really afraid of skunks. I was convinced I would get sprayed by one and my parents would disown me. I had nightmares about it all the time. LOL

And because this list makes me feel like kind of a freak, I’m NOT afraid of spiders, snakes, birds, tornadoes, big dogs, public speaking, severe weather, or clowns. LOL

How about you – what random things are you afraid of?

This is a tie

“It’s better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not”

I just find this to be so true. I hate fake people and I hate feeling like I need to pretend to be someone I’m not. It seems like an incredible waste of time to pretend to be interested in something or care about something that you don’t, beyond common politeness I mean. I would much rather people were my friends because of who I REALLY am rather than some sort of “fake” self I put out there to please them. I’m very much of the “I am who I am, and if you don’t like it, well that’s too bad” frame of mind.

“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” ~ Souza

This is a big one for me. I’ve spent a lot of time in my life thinking “Well, once this happens, things will be great, no, wait, once THIS happens, yep, then it will all be good….” and every time I turn around, there is another “thing” that I feel is standing in the way when in reality, life is NOW. Yes, I can look forward to RockFest this summer, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t enjoy the next two months. Yes, I can hope that I finally can fit into a size 8 pants at some point, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll magically be 100% happy with my body and fitness level – and that’s OKAY! Sometimes, I get so busy making to-do lists, it’s easy to forget to stop and smell the roses. Life is happening all around us, even as we hope for a new house or our kid to get through this next phase. Enjoy it because there is no magical “if this, then life is PERFECT” point.

How about you – are you guilty of life being a destination and not a journey? Have any favorite quotes you’d like to share?

The next prompt is “Things that Make Me Uncomfortable”

This is what just popped into my mind – I tried not to think too hard about this one so this is pretty random!

People suggesting they can “fix my hair”

Having bosses with who have very loud political opinions that are very different than mine

My parents (who are in their 70s) saying they’re not racist/sexist/homophobic/etc but then making remarks that are everything but

That horrendous moment when you audibly pass gas in an otherwise silent room

Being the party pooper when a group is deciding on a restaurant – I don’t do most ethnic foods, but hate being the complicated one.

When friends do something that is incredibly “against” my parenting views – I know that it’s their kid and that it’s not my place to say anything, but it’s still awkward.

Glass foot bridges with heavy traffic underneath – I prefer metal and railings, thank you very much

Thongs

Being expected to practice high pressure sales techniques when I know the recipient isn’t interested. The #1 reason I hated my banking job!

When people insist on gossiping about someone who could walk into hearing range at any moment

People who suggest shooting their pets instead of spending money at the vet clinic – while I’m working at said vet clinic

Public changing rooms

When daycare employees give me the “Your kid listens to me, why doesn’t he listen to you?” look

Going out for a night on the town with people who are REALLY into the “getting all gussied” up because I’m so… not

How about you? What random things make you uncomfortable?