Heights

I AM afraid of heights, or more specifically scared of falling from heights. Growing up with such a fear is a bother. Though it is not troubling me right now, as in writing this, it has its problems.

Living a life where you make ends meet with what you see. Like, your hungry, go climb a tree. Need some money, sell some coconuts from that 15-meter tree. Seeing people the same age as me, in an elevated place, makes me anxious. What if they fall, slip, or the branch break?

There was also a time when my mother made "me" climb a tree. Well as long as the branch was stable and durable I was fine, but the fruit was higher. There were no more thing parts, so it's a big no for me. Guess what, my mother was angry. At that moment I decided if I'm more afraid of heights or if I'm more afraid of my mother. Well, I was more afraid of heights.

My mother was very strict, but also very kind. So she forgives me. The fruit stayed in the tree. That day I realized that heights are very scary, and even made me more anxious about others climbing.

I believe that "that fear" is all about perspective. Like when I'm on the ground a tree isn't that tall, the moment I look down from said tree the height seems to be multiple. Realizing this, I can now know for the sake of my mind that it is not that high. Well don't get me wrong I'm still terrified of heights. It's just that I can climb higher now.

Although it is another story when going down. Like it's easier to climb up because I am looking up, when going down, I look down. Though I know that it's all about perspective, the risk of falling, slipping, or breaking, and going down means increasing those odds.

Well, one trick that I use is that think of the height that I can jump off because of perspective. I look for a mark or a bump, or any point in that area that is easy to remember. So when I climb the tree do, and then do my purpose, then I look for the checkpoint that I noted, go to said area, and jump off, well because of perspective.

Though remember that this is not the place for looking for advice on said fear. It may differ from person to person. I am not a professional about said matter and will never be. I am just sharing my experience and tricks.