Fears I’ve Overcome, Fears I’m Still Wrestling, and Fears That Make Me Nope Right Out

Fear is a weird roommate. Sometimes it pays rent, sometimes it eats your snacks, and sometimes it just stares at you while you try to live your life. Over the years, I’ve learned which fears I can evict, which ones I’m still negotiating with, and which ones I’m not even opening the door for.

Fears I’ve Overcome

• Turning out like people who’ve hurt me.
  I used to think certain traits were inherited like bad knees. But healing taught me I can break the cycle without breaking myself.

• Thinking I’m unlovable.
  I’m not unlovable. I’m just a limited-edition model. Not everyone can handle the deluxe features. That’s okay.

• Taking my shirt off at the pool.
  This was a big one. Body image has been a whole journey, but I’ve learned my worth isn’t tied to the amount of fabric covering me.

Fears I’m Still Working On

• Flying.
  I had a full-on panic attack on a plane years ago and had to get off. Before that, I hadn’t flown since I was a teenager—so, a 22-year gap. I’ve flown since, but my body still remembers the panic before it remembers the progress.

• Elevators.
  Never been stuck in one, but my brain invented a fake memory to justify avoiding them. I try to push myself now, but if that elevator pauses for more than three seconds, I’m already planning my obituary.

Fears That Make Me Go: “Nope.”

• Being buried alive.
  Who would willingly sign up for that?

• Anything that can kill me in one bite.
  Self-preservation, babe.

• Caves.
  I’ve seen The Descent. That’s a hard pass.

• Catacombs.
  I’ve seen As Above, So Below. Also a hard pass.

Fear doesn’t disappear overnight. Some of it leaves quietly. Some of it takes years to evict. And some? Some you just learn to walk around, give a polite nod, and say, “Not today.”

© Dereck Pritchard, 2025. All Rights Reserved.