Basically, Jaws scarred me for life.
Breaking my front teeth: When I walk up concrete steps, I always envision myself tripping and bashing my front teeth. I am prone to tripping, so this one isn't totally farfetched.
Flying over water: Although it's been explained to me - by engineers, even - I don't understand how planes stay up, and flying over water jacks up my anxiety. I always eat a lot and bring loads of chocolate so at least I won't die abstemious.
A friend told me that drowning is actually rather peaceful, and far preferable to dying in a fire. But you know, the ocean...see shark attack fear above.
On a related note, I am truly hoping that a Twilight Zone-esque thing happened to the Malaysia Airlines flight and that they will be found alive.
Basements: I'm not afraid of basements per se, but rather what might be lurking in them.
We rent out our basement, so effectively we don't have one. But if I was alone in my parents' house, or in Nick's condo, I'd either avoid the basement or get what I needed to get and then sprint up the stairs. Particularly at night.
Looking in the mirror in the dark: Because you never know what you'll see behind you. It would be double jeopardy to look in a mirror in the dark in the basement.
You have entered my brain and written my exact thoughts about every single thing you listed. We are kindered spirits!
ReplyDeleteSeriously? I am glad to have such great company in my bizarro mostly-irrational fears!
DeleteI'm not sure how drowning would be peaceful. The few times I've been close (and it can happen to anyone - I've been a lifeguard/swim instructor for 19 years now) it's one of the few things that so far has caused me true terror.
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on the front teeth and basement though...
I don't know either, but the friend who explained it is a nurse. I think the peaceful part comes from going unconscious rather quickly. I'll have to ask her.
DeleteTeeth and basement - ugh!
How does your (presumably alive) friend know drowning is peaceful? Having not done it themselves? I can't imagine, were I drowning, I would be feeling anything even close to peace.
ReplyDeleteI must admit to you that I'd had several glasses of wine (it was the night of our friend Lou's memorial service) so cannot actually recall what she said beyond that. The friend is a nurse, and the way she put it made sense to me at the time.
DeleteInteresting. I share the same fear of dark water. If I can't see my toes, I will not swim in it. I also share the concern regarding tripping and smashing my front teeth. I do believe we are related!
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to remember going down into Grandma and Grandpa Jordan's basement? I remember going down there with Grandpa to get rootbeer and ice cream. I would hold his hand and rush to get back upstairs.
Do you remember that tiny pond at the family reunion at the cabin a few years ago? Even that made me panicky! I don't like not knowing what's below!
DeleteI only vaguely remember that basement. It had very steep wooden stairs, didn't it? I remember sprinting up the stairs of my Gramma Lillian's basement and hitting my shins a few times. Those old basements were so scary!
Ok. Now I have to add a fear to my list. I always avoid looking in the mirror in the dark because I'm afraid my face is going to look like someone/something else (remember "bloody Mary"?) It never occurred to me that something could be BEHIND me! AAACK.
ReplyDeleteI think that Bloody Mary must be the genesis of this fear! But I think in the version I heard, she was behind you. Regardless, it's just foolish to look in the mirror in the dark.
DeleteI'm with you 100% on the shark thing (even in pools!) and have actually been known to give myself a scare whilst soaking in a particularly full bathtub (usually while reading a scary story so my mind is already in a creepy mindset). I GET IT. Also yes to basements and the breaking of the teeth.
ReplyDeleteYes. Sharks can be anywhere. Although I am OK soaking in tubs. But I don't read scary stories or see scary movies. I can't handle them.
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