Fear - xoJane

It Happened To Me: I Became Homeless On Purpose To Overcome My Fear of Failure

Te-Erika Patterson — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400

Instead of allowing life to happen to me, instead of sitting by powerlessly as things took a turn for the worst, I took the reigns and faced misfortune head on.

Farewell Annette Funicello: How Her Story Helped Me Cope With The Fear of Being Debilitated by My MS

Laurie Erdman — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:30:00 -0400

I’ve thought a lot about fear in the last 12 hours after hearing the news that Annette Funicello died due to complications with multiple sclerosis.

It Just Happened To Me: I Got Robbed At Gunpoint

Jessie Nicole — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500

I'm jumpy around passing cars and men on the street. I fall asleep with a low voice telling me not to scream ringing in my ears.

Here's How I Got Over My Fear Of Public Speaking

Patrice — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0500

I was one of those girls who mostly sat at the back and spoke when I was coaxed into speaking.

"What Are You So Afraid Of?" And Other Scary Questions

Helena — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:00:00 -0500

Someone jumped out at me from behind a scary dark corner and I screamed like somebody's business -- and then when I realized I wasn't going to die, I reflected on life.

My Childhood Nosebleeds Came Back And I'm Taking It As A Sign To Change My Life

Senam SistaTV Amegashie — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:00:00 -0500

Although the circumstances are very different, I have been feeling exactly like that trapped little girl with blood on her spelling test and fear of the unknowns in her heart.

My Mom Was An Underground Railroad For Abused Women: What She Taught Me About Feminism And Fear

Haley B. Elkins — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0500

Once, my mom spotted a bruised woman with three children holding a cardboard sign in the Wal-Mart parking lot. It was pouring down rain. I was seven. “Stay in the car,” she said, locking me in.

Drugs, Flushing the Toilet, "Ferngully" -- What Weird Stuff Were You Scared of as a Kid?

Daisy — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:00:00 -0400

Flushing the toilet at night? Return to Oz? Thriller? FERNGULLY? These are just a few of the xoJane editors' childhood fears and why I love all the weirdos I work with.

If You're Wearing Heels in a Disaster, Are You at a Disadvantage?

Daisy — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:00:00 -0400

It took me a really long time to wear heels after 9/11 because I was scared. Now I just don't wear them because I'm lazy.

I Came Upon A Masturbator, and Other Reasons I Get Freaked Out When I Run

Annakeara Stinson — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:00:00 -0400

I've never actually been attacked, only had close calls, felt really afraid, uncomfortable. Still, each time I run, frightening fantasies tend to run along with me.

It Happened to Me: You Think You Envy My Chronic Disease

Michelle Grimard — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:00:21 -0400

When my PCP first sent me to the hospital for abdominal X-rays four years ago, the radiologist wanted to know what kinds of symptoms I’d been experiencing. “I don’t have an appetite,” I told her. “I wish I had that problem,” she responded.

Surprise! I Was a Bullied Kid

Lesley — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:00:21 -0400

I took to writing stories about vengeance, about stabbing my friends with whatever was near to hand; pencils in the classroom, sporks in the cafeteria, a ruler in the hallway while classes were changing. I walked around with vivid images in my head of tearing those girls' faces off.

I Have a Balloon Phobia

Marianne — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:13 -0500

I'll wait while you laugh at me. Go on, I'm used to it at this point.

No, I Don't Plan To Be Murdered While Studying Abroad

Emily Chapman — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:00:14 -0500

The most notable emotion that African travel conjures up for folks in the US seems to be fear. Especially if the traveler is a woman.

My Working-Class Background, Or Why I Hoard Freebies

Brittany — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:29:55 -0500

The scrappy poor kid in me will never die.