![]() ![]() ![]() Flame retardants, PFAS, bisphenols, phthalates, heavy metals, air pollution, pesticides, radiation, cigarette smoking, etc are all very real significant health threats. Like airplane crashes do occur, but it is irrational to avoid vacationing and work trips as a result. In fact, phobias are typically rooted in real threats. It isn’t like they are totally irrational - they always relate to real significant environmental health threats, but just blown out of proportion. Some of the private questions I help my clients with reflect irrational fears. Some of the questions that come up in my community group reflect irrational fears. So what does this have to do with low-toxic living? A lot. I reminded her that just experiencing this bravery and reward will make her able to do this more easily in the future. She chose the latter, and was so psyched to get her reward. I told her that we could turn around and let the anxiety win or we could persevere and enjoy a big reward (I promised her “anything she wanted”) at the end. Yesterday I went on a long hike with a family member and she was very anxious after a while - she wasn’t anticipating it to be as long or as challenging and she wanted to turn around. I am typing this on a plane right now in fact, where I am not necessarily relaxed, where I am really looking forward to landing, but where I am doing fine. It eventually allowed me to move a plane-ride away from my family for many years and enjoy a career that involves some necessary travel. I was in the process of getting to the point where I could fly without this phobia holding me back. This was not a conscious strategy on my part, but looking back it was an effective one to deal with a phobia - I was rewarding myself for powering through an irrational phobia. I figured that it was a win/win as it would only end up on a credit card bill that mattered because I miraculously survived the trip! (For reference we are talking about $60 Banana Republic sweaters that had not yet gone on sale) Before I’d fly I used to buy myself an “airplane present” (my own term) - something that felt otherwise too expensive or unnecessary or indulgent (mostly clothing). I’d be nervous for a week in advance when I would think about it, and I’d be very nervous on the plane. I did fly sometimes during this 13 year period. ![]()
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