Elevator Escapades: My Lift-Phobia
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to read through my quite lengthy blog post - Why am I here? Your dedication means the world to me, and I'm so grateful for your time and attention. I mean, anyone who can make it through that many of my ramblings deserves a medal—or at least a strong cup of coffee!
I shared the traumatic event that caused me to seek professional help and figure out why certain physical issues I was experiencing were happening. During a few of my sessions, I heard the terms anxiety and self-love and this got me to thinking - dangerous I know - about these terms. Because, let's be honest, diving into your own psyche is like opening Pandora's box—except instead of unleashing mythical creatures, you're bombarded with existential questions and a sudden urge to buy more self-help books than you have shelf space for!
One of the signs of anxiety is having a phobia - or two or three. Phobias are a common manifestation of anxiety. From fear of spiders to fear of heights, or even fear of social situations, our minds can latch onto specific objects or scenarios and blow them out of proportion, triggering intense feelings of fear or panic. These phobias can range from mildly inconvenient to severely debilitating, depending on their impact on daily life. Understanding that phobias are often rooted in anxiety can help individuals seek appropriate support and coping mechanisms to manage them effectively. After all, who knew that your fear of clowns could be a sign of your anxiety and not just a dislike of face paint and oversized shoes? So if you find yourself avoiding the circus or crossing the street to avoid a balloon animal, you're not alone. Clowns may be meant to bring laughter and joy, but for many, they're just plain creepy!
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
In today’s post, I want to get personal and talk about a specific example of how my anxiety manifests: my fear of elevators. This isn’t just about disliking tight spaces—I have a genuine phobia of being confined in small, enclosed areas. This anxiety is so intense that at home, I don’t even shut the bathroom door!
My fear extends beyond mere discomfort. For example, I’ve stepped into an elevator, scanned my fellow passengers, and in an instant, made a snap judgment. It's not about them personally, but my anxious mind races ahead, imagining every possible emergency scenario. And in that split second, I decide they might not be the ideal 'team' if something goes wrong. I know it sounds irrational, but that’s the reality of anxiety—it doesn’t play by the rules of logic. I’d much rather explain my way off the elevator than have a full on panic attack in front of strangers.
Claustrophobia – the ultimate party pooper, raining on your parade and squashing your dreams of elevator small talk. It's like hitting a speed bump on the road to success, except this bump is more like a giant brick wall, and you're the hapless cartoon character trying to run through it.
Feeling trapped in a tight space is the ultimate buzzkill. It's like being a contestant on a game show where the prize is your sanity, and the challenge is to navigate through a maze of cramped corridors without losing your cool. Spoiler alert: the odds are not in your favor.
But hey, at least claustrophobia gives you an excuse to perfect your elevator escape plan. Forget about the emergency stairs—your meticulously crafted strategy involves ninja-rolling out of the elevator doors like a secret agent on a mission. And let's not forget the dramatic exit line: "Sorry folks, duty calls! Gotta go save the world from cramped spaces!"
The elevator becomes a stage for a high-stakes assessment of hypotheticals. It’s as if my brain turns into a hyper-vigilant security agent, assessing threats and planning escape routes. It’s exhausting, and often, I find myself opting for the stairs, not for the exercise, but as a necessary alternative to avoid the anxiety that comes with elevator rides. The plus side, I get my steps in.
I share this not to trivialize the experience but to highlight the bizarre and often overwhelming nature of anxiety. It’s not just a matter of telling myself to 'get over it.' It’s a daily challenge, navigating these fears and finding ways to cope. Most of the time, I am able to overcome the fear, think logically and ride in the elevator. Especially if I have large amounts of luggage. Because let's face it, if the elevator gets stuck, at least I'll have plenty of snacks to tide me over until help arrives!
Sometimes riding in an elevator triggers my vertigo. This is not fun. It's like being on a rollercoaster you never signed up for, with the added bonus of feeling like the floor is doing the cha-cha beneath your feet. And forget about trying to maintain any semblance of dignity as you cling to the handrail for dear life while your stomach does somersaults. Yep, definitely not the elevator ride I had in mind when I pressed that button.
It's funny how our brains work, isn't it? I mean, riding roller coasters is like signing up for a thrill-packed adventure, complete with heart-stopping drops and exhilarating twists and turns. It's all about the rush of adrenaline and that feeling of flying through the air. But then, when it comes to something as mundane as an elevator ride, suddenly our inner equilibrium decides to throw a curveball and send us into a spin with vertigo. Ah, the mysteries of the human mind!
Is it because I know I am going to have fun on a roller coaster and it’s not fun riding on an elevator? The next time I have to get on an elevator, maybe I should pump myself up like I’m riding a roller coaster. I bet that would be a site to see. Imagine stepping into the elevator, throwing my arms up in the air, and shouting "Woo-hoo!" as if I’m about to plummet down the first big drop of a roller coaster. I could even bring along some imaginary theme park music to really set the mood.
Sure, my fellow passengers might give me some strange looks, but hey, I’d be turning a mundane elevator ride into an adventure! Who knows, maybe my newfound enthusiasm will catch on, and I'll start a trend of elevator riders everywhere embracing the thrill of the ride.
And even if I don't quite reach roller coaster levels of excitement, just channeling a bit of that adrenaline-fueled energy might help distract me from any feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Plus, it'll definitely make for a memorable elevator ride—for me and everyone else!
If you’ve ever felt this way, know that you’re not alone. And if you haven’t, I hope this gives you a glimpse into the kind of decisions and dilemmas that can come with anxiety. It’s a real and relentless companion, one that often requires understanding, patience, and sometimes, a good set of stairs. And remember, walking up the stairs burns 5 times more calories than riding an elevator!
So, whether you're facing your fears in an elevator or tackling them one step at a time on the stairs, just know that every little victory counts. And as you navigate the ups and downs of life, remember that you're stronger than you think, and you've got what it takes to rise above any challenge that comes your way. So keep on climbing, keep on conquering, and never forget to celebrate the small victories along the way. After all, the view from the top is always worth the effort.
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.”