Hello NSG!
There are some things, like being shot in the head by the strange guy pointing a gun at you at a particular moment, that we should all be afraid of. Additional things to have a healthy sense of fear of include uncontrolled fire, large explosions, that feeling you get in your gut after eating a takeaway kebab at 3 AM and politicians with grand plans. There are however a lot of things that people still fear, despite the fact that they are not going to cause them harm.
Over 6 % of people, for example, are afraid of heights. Over 10 % of US adults are scared of flying. Stranger examples include named phobias including those of 'new things,' dancing, numbers, sunlight, and belly buttons. Presumably somebody reported fearing these things to a doctor or another health professional, and thus was the phobia named.
I on the other hand am absolutely terrified of soil. I don't just dislike soil or find it gross: touching soil will lead me into a full-on episode of almost complete fear paralysis. Yes, by soil I am referring to the stuff under the grass...the stuff that 'normal' people are insane enough to put their hands in in order to plant seeds. The thing that schools, in order I presume to torture their students, force them to plant potatos in.
I am well aware that my fear of soil is absolutely mental, that soil in itself is not going to do me any harm and that unless I get professionals in the garden will look 'like that' forever. I still knocked over a potted plant and was a nervous wreck for an hour though.
Does anyone else have any similar fears, or know anyone who does? Perhaps you have one of the odder fears and can explain to us whether belly buttons really are scarier than spiders or what's inside of those grow bags you get at the garden centre. It's time to discuss the things that make us totally lose our shit and which nobody else understands.
Mods: I appreciate that this op might set off your fear of bloggy OPs. If it crosses that line lmk and I'll change it.
