Feel The Fear

And do it anyway?

I don't know. It seems too easy. Is it really that simple?

Hundred of thousands of people are going to be pretty ticked off it is.

Lately, some big life decisions have been staring me down. And I'm afraid. It's true. I am.

It's not so much the change. I know it's a normal sort of thing to fear change, but this time, I'm not. If I could snap my fingers and have it all done, I would. The fear is coming from how much work is facing me. Whether it's the right thing for me. If I've actually thought it through.

Ugh. And I'm such an over thinker.

The thing is...I know I want most of it. It's the whole kit and caboodle that's worrying me.

My mom recommended the book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway. So, I've been reading it.

A lot of it makes sense.

There's this whole knowledge that once you put the ball and motion things will just work out.

Except, I've noticed, things don't just 'work out' for me. They are a struggle. Hard work is involved.

Then I start thinking. Am I simply lazy. Is it because I don't have the energy and money to make these changes happen. Is that why I am balking at it?

I'm not sure.

I tried talking about this the other night, but it lead to me being mocked about something different and put me in a bad mood. Now I'm spouting it off here.

Don't get me wrong. I understand the importance of taking the leap. I understand sometimes we must leap to get what we want. But is it supposed to be this hard?

I guess I'm just conflicted. The doubts are there, but they are actually fairly small. It's the fear it won't work out. Fear it will be a complete failure. And fear I will be doing the majority of the work on my own.

It's easy to stay in your own shell and not venture forth.

That's true.

But people keep telling me it isn't as rewarding.

Signing off,
Unsure In Vancouver

Help?!

Why do I have such a problem asking for help?

My knee-jerk reaction would be to say it is because I've been let down in the past. That I have asked for help and not received any. Or not received the right kind of help. Half-hearted help. Forced, I-don't-really-want-to-be-doing-this help. Help that comes with begging or the expectation that you have to do something in return.

This might be the case...you know, if I ever asked for help. If the words actually left my lips. But they haven't. I simply don't ask. Sometimes it is offered without me asking, which is ideal, but even then...it's just as hard for me to accept it. Asking and accepting. Two things I apparently don't do very well.

Except, this all runs deeper than the fear of being disappointed and knowing it's easier to just struggle through alone.

Some might blame this on a strange little thing called my independent womanhood. You see, I was raised to do things for myself. And it pays to take care of yourself. My fierce need to be independent is ingrained in me. It's hard to shake. Asking for help threatens that, doesn't it? No, of course it doesn't! Still, I'm determined to be self-sufficient. I don't need anyone to take care of me. Well, not right now...

But what happens when I need help for reals? When I do need to be taken care of? When I'm sick? In pain? Lost? Broken? Will I just suffer in silence? Or wait until someone offers, only to tell them to piss off, while secretly hoping they will insist further?

Last night, stretched out in bed, I realized it's more than my desire to be independent. I'm not all that worried about losing it. I've been playing this game alone for so long that it will always be my natural settling point. And, just between us, I want to be taken care of. I want to have someone else tend to my needs, to have a person to rely on. I don't necessarily want to be alone, a team of one, flying solo. It's easy for me offer up support and help, but to take it? That's where I balk. Screech to a halt. Grind to a stop. Get the cold sweats.

Weird, right?

I mean, if it isn't fear of disappointment or losing my independent womanhood, what could it possibly be?

Simply put, I don't want to be an inconvenience. The idea of someone having to stop what they are doing or take time out of their day to help me actually causes me physical discomfort. As strange as it may sound, I don't want to be a burden. I don't want them to be annoyed about it, like I'm ruining their plans. I don't want someone helping me when they really don't want to, when they have better things to do. Just the act of someone picking me up closes my throat and makes me want to burrow into a hole and hide myself with leaves and twigs.  Especially if it is dark, and rainy, and only one headlight works. All I can think about is how not worth the trouble I am.

I loathe causing other people angst, annoyance, strife, worry, sadness or a disruption.

Okay, at the end of the day, all three of these things contribute to my anxieties over asking for help. My independent womanhood, the fear of being disappointed and not wanting to be an inconvenienced all exacerbate my already ridiculous inability to vocalize my wants and needs. So, what can I do?
How the heck should I know? I write the posts, I don't solve my problems. Sometimes it's unawesome to be so self aware. I guess all I can do is work through it.

Here and now, I vow to ask for help today. Well, maybe not today, but tomorrow for sure. And if not tomorrow...Friday. For sure. And the next time someone offers help, I'm going to take it. Even if it is for something silly.

Lately, it's become very clear that I'm difficult...and human.