RE: Keyword of the Week: FEAR (by @wlin) / Schlüsselwort der Woche: ANGST (von @wlin)
We all fear something in this life. For some, it may be very specific and tangible things; for others, just thoughts and possibilities. For more than twenty years, I have been engaged in a profession that carries inherent risks. Initially, in that world, I used to channel it in a very different way, and although the risks were always present, I didn't mind taking them; back then, it was just me, and no one depended on me. That mindset changed after the birth of my daughter. The fear that something might happen to me and leave her helpless has terrified me ever since. As far as possible, I have avoided taking unnecessary risks, although they have never ceased to be present.
However, through all of this, I learned something very important, which is that fearing something is sometimes necessary, as it serves as a regulator for our actions and decisions. Of course, this is a far cry from her phobia, but that is my experience with fear... Well, one of many.
In general, I'm not a fearful person—I ride motorcycles, have done many skydives, go climbing, do martial arts... I have no problem risking a loss with crowdfunding, and I work for clients I like, whose goals I can identify with (but not for the many others ;-)) and am happy to risk earning less than my competitors and perhaps achieving less security in life. That's all fine with me. The people around me, on the other hand, are still a problem for me. I hardly have panic attacks anymore—I've had three in the last 10 years. Today, it just feels physically uncomfortable...