I’m afraid of everything, from the most common fears to some of the most irrational anxieties. Fear has stopped me from doing a lot of things in my life that I wish I did. But lately I have realized that I do not want fear to hold me back from doing things that I really want to do. Here is my list of top three irrational fears, how I got them and the things that I want to do despite them.

Trypanphobia - The Fear of Needles

I really want a tattoo. I have always wanted a tattoo. However, I could not be more afraid of needles. Growing up, I was never afraid of getting shots or having blood drawn. It was not until I went to get my wisdom teeth taken out that I became deathly afraid of needles. When the anesthesiologist went to put the IV in my vein, she missed. She tried again… and missed. Tried again…and missed. I ended up turning white as a ghost and passing out. Ever since that day, I can’t even fathom just the mere sight of a needle. I have postponed getting shots and having blood tests because I am so traumatized from that event. While I know that an injection with a needle is very different than getting a tattoo with a needle, I am so afraid to actually bit the bullet and do it.

Aviophobia - The Fear of Airplanes

I love to travel and I travel quite frequently each year. During any given year, I would say I am on a plane at least six times. Planes are easily my biggest fear. Ever since I was little kid, I have been afraid of them. I’m not sure if I’m more afraid of being in the airplane or afraid of not being in control. Obviously the many terror attacks and freak accidents that have happened with planes do not help ease my fear. If you ever end up being on a flight with me, I’m so sorry. You know that annoying baby that cries on the plane the whole time, well I may not be an actual baby, but I cry the entire time. And if there is turbulence, please don’t even talk to me. The only problem with my fear of flying is that I really want to travel. I want to go to places like Australia, Greece and Italy. However, I cannot imagine how I would react to being on a plane, over the ocean, for several hours.

Glossophobia- The Fear of Public Speaking

I really don’t know how I became so afraid of public speaking. My earliest encounter with glossophobia was when I was a freshman in high school. I had to give a presentation in my history class and I remember just bursting into tears when the teacher called my name. I somehow got out of doing that presentation and many other presentations in my high school career because I was so scared. Still to this day, my stomach turns when I have to do presentations, debates, or discussions in any of my classes. My fear of speaking in public has stopped me from doing many things, mostly in social situations. I have trouble talking to people when I’m in big groups and have taken zeros on assignments that involve a presentation.

While these three fears may be my biggest ones, I have may others that have affected me during my life. Every day they stop me from going after things I want to. Fear shuts people down, but I want to do things that scare me and overcome them. People should not allow something like fear divert them from living their life. There is so much out there to experience and I want to partake in all of it. Life is short. Try things that scare you everyday.