How to Handle Fear: Jump into the Deep End

The usual saying when it comes to fear is to fight or flee it. A third option is available: jump deep into the thing that produces the fear. The option isn’t about fighting; it’s about recognizing that the fearful thing may be the one thing that one needs or wants to do.

“Jumping deep” is a must; a shallow jump won’t do. A shallow jump means you have a way out. It’s dipping your toe into the water or holding onto the railing rather than submerging yourself in the deep, coming up spluttering, and finding, in fact, you do know how to swim. The water isn’t as scary as you initially thought. You discover the motions you practiced in shallower waters translate. You may even find that the struggle of swimming in the deep is enjoyable, and it’s one that’s worth the yelling of lifeguards and an overly concerned parent.

You also discover you aren’t as alone as you thought you were going to be. Perhaps going it alone was one of your fears and produced a hesitancy to jump, but you’ll find the fear is a falsehood. Jumping into the deep is something you have to choose to do, but you will not be alone once you enter the water. You will have companions, both in the water and out. Some will be there to offer a towel or food after a long day of swimming. Others will be right there with you. They might struggle with a different stroke or find it more or less difficult to stay afloat than you, but they are with you. They are the people with whom you can speak, and you need both those who are struggling more and less. The latter encourages you; the former gives you the opportunity to encourage new arrivals in the deep end.

What do you think? Is “jumping deep” another option that needs to be added to the usual fight or flight equation?

Image: Santiago Nicolau (CC BY SA 2.0)