Hello Friends!
I’ve always said “The farther away from people I can be; the better.” Who knew there would someday be something known as “social distancing,” and just like that–I am suddenly COOL!? Not that I’m a complete introvert, I just require a lot of alone time.
“Social Distancing” at its best!
I always look for the campsite farthest away from people, the restaurant table in the very back, the last chair in the row, etc., so now I fit right in…except I don’t wanna fit in!
I love a secluded campsite!
FEAR: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
That certainly sounds like the state of the world right now doesn’t it? Not long ago, on the Topic Tuesday portion of the Gal Gone Camping Facebook Page, I asked the question: ‘What are your biggest concerns about living mobile?’ There were several answers and I’m going to address each one of them later in detailed separate posts, but the root of any concern or worry of course, is fear. With the current scare of the Coronavirus, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the topic of FEAR.
Real Or Imagined?
The first thing I think we have to determine in any case is how much of our fear is real and how much is imagined. That’s where things can get out of hand. Whatever the situation is, think about why you feel afraid. Where is the fear coming from? Did you actually experience that situation before and have a bad experience or have you seen that situation on a TV show, movie, or the news?
Scary or peaceful?
Why Are You Fearful?
Most people who are fearful have: Never lived alone, have grown up in fear, been sheltered all their life, have been told they can’t, have never taken a risk, or they may have actually had a truly frightening experience. Until you conquer your fear, you will never be free from it. Each time you do something you were afraid to do, your confidence will grow and your fear will not be as big as it once was. Don’t get me wrong, you always need to be cautious and alert to what is going on around you, but don’t become paralyzed with fear, for if you do, you will miss a lot of amazing opportunities and awesome experiences!
Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing life!
What If…?
Take this scenario: You’re traveling alone, driving down the road, when your vehicle breaks down. Is your first emotion fear or is it aggravation? The difference between the person whose answer is fear and the person whose answer is aggravation says a lot really. Why do some people panic and others do not? I think it’s mostly in the character of the person, but a lot it also has to do with how you were raised and your past experiences.
Productive Pretending
One way to calm your fear is to think about where you are going and what will you be doing. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? Take each one of those worsts and work through them in your mind. Think about how you would react, what would equip you to handle the situation? If you’ve already been through it in your mind, you’ll be better prepared and not taken off guard quite so much if you do end up in that circumstance.
The desert is quite deserted, but so awesome!
In this scenario for example, is it a well traveled highway or a 2-lane road in a desolate area? Will there likely be cell service or not? Does anyone else know where you are supposed to be? Do you have roadside assistance? Do you know how to change a tire? Has your vehicle been serviced properly? Do you have provisions for an emergency? Do you have alternate means of communication? Are you knowledgeable in self-defense? Do you have self-defense items with you? You must think about all these things beforehand. A well thought out plan is the best precaution you can take.
Another fear factor is society itself. The government, media, and those who think everyone must live as what they perceive as “normal,” perpetuate fear to control us. What happens if you choose not to live “normal?” I will be talking more about that later, but in the travel example used above, you simply be as careful as you can and take every precaution possible.
As for this Coronavirus, it is a real issue and precautions must be taken, but the bigger problem is people letting fear create hysteria in their minds. We are certainly seeing the results of that! Use your instinct, be as careful as you can, take every safety measure possible, pray, and don’t panic. That’s about all we can do in any situation folks!
No Coronavirus here!
5 Ways To Work Through Fear
1–Prayer–Of course this doesn’t work if you’re not a believer, but before I ever set out anywhere I ask God to protect me and give me a safe trip. I pray everyday to stay healthy and able to do what I have to do.
2–Exercise Caution Instead of Fear–Always be cautious but don’t let fear paralyze you. Don’t panic, that just makes things worse.
3–Prepare But Don’t Despair--There is an element of danger in anything you do or anywhere you go. We live in a crazy world, but you have to live. Be prepared, have a plan, and LIVE!
4–Use, Don’t Lose Your Mind!–Work through situations that cause fear in your mind. Figure out what you would do and determine what you need in order to accomplish that task.
5–Don’t Put Yourself In Danger–How many incidents can you think of where a person who ended up in a bad situation put themselves there? It’s one thing to be adventurous, it’s another to be foolish.
Taking the path less traveled…
…can lead to many rewards!
I hope y’all got something out of this. If so, please share. What are some ways you have overcome fear in your life? I’d love to see your comments below. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the blog in the pop up box so you won’t miss any updates. Follow Gal Gone Camping on Facebook & Instagram too. Lots of cool and exciting stuff coming up! Hopefully this virus and all the craziness will pass soon. Ya’ll stay safe out there!
Until next time, remember…DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!
See ya down the road,
Catrina