The 100 Years Club Installment #148: Scaredy Cats

I was going to title this post “pussies,” but I was concerned about being banned from social media.

The term “scaredy cat” originated in a Dorothy Parker novel in the 1930s.

But skittish behavior is not reserved for felines.

As we enter the Halloween season, let’s ruminate about fear.

• What are those “black cats” and demons in your head that keep you from moving forward with small and big moves in life and in work?
• Why do you put up with evil behaviors from others without speaking up?
• Do you worry about not being good enough in some way or getting busted as an imposter?
• Are gatherings with strangers anxiety-provoking for you?
• When do you suddenly get triggered by things you experience in real life or online? We are often unaware of these, but end up lashing out, shutting down, or acting up in some way.

We are all dealing with some form of fear, including microtraumas and phobias, throughout our lives. In fact, if you’d like to add to your anxiety level, you can read this list of common fears.

A little fear is great. It keeps us out of truly dangerous situations or to question people who seem sketchy.

A lot of fear can be paralyzing.

I have actually found that as I get older, I have actually become LESS fearful. But I understand that’s not typical, and a condition called GAD is common among my peers.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” is a question I ask myself often. I push myself to take micro and macro risks regularly to prove my resilience and overcome whatever fears are still lurking around in this body and brain.

“What just triggered me?” is another common query in those conversations with myself. This week, I spent too much time doom-scrolling and had nightmares. Confrontation is another situation that sometimes sends me spinning out.

Although you will never be able to wipe out ALL your fears, this month is as good a time as any to think about them and chase them away.

Come to terms with the skeletons in your closets, the demons at your doors, and the ghouls and goblins that have taken up residence in that haunted house between your ears!

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Don’t be afraid to click on these random facts and stats:

	What’s the difference between anxiety and fear? (Don’t worry…there won’t be a quiz!)
	How to talk to strangers on the road
	Fear can mess up your body
	What doomscrolling does to you