Fear

If you've known me for long enough, you've probably heard me talk about my irrational fears. Seeing as I am a mostly rational person, I do identify that these fears are indeed irrational. But, I still have them nonetheless.


#1 Other people's hair.
So no, I'm not afraid of other people's hair when it's on their heads. This fear only manifests when I see other people's hair anywhere but their heads (i.e. on a table, on the floor, or the absolute worst-- on food). You can only imagine the nightmare going to a hair salon is for me. I can't sit down at the salon chair until the person who went before me's hair has been adequately swept and disposed of.


#2 Onions.
I don't know where this fear came from. But I cannot eat, smell, or often touch any food that includes onions. It doesn't matter if the onions are raw or cooked or sliced or chopped up so small I can't see them or even pulverized into a powder. I can still tell they're there. When I go to restaurants I often tell my waiter I'm allergic to onions just so they'll be nowhere near my food. After all, an allergy is easier to explain and be accepted than an irrational fear.


#3 Chia Pets.
The final, and probably the most irrational of all my irrational fears. To put it simply, these little demon clay plants head things creep me out more than most anything in the world. One time I came home to find an Obama Chia Pet in a box sitting on my dining room table. I freaked out and grabbed it and threw it into the garage, breaking it in the process. It turns out my dad had purchased it for a White Elephant gift game at work. Whoops.


I guess the bottom line is-- I have fears. I have legitimate fears. I have things that scare me so much I ache. I'm afraid of loved ones dying. I'm afraid of failing. I'm afraid of moving back home after college. I'm afraid of getting attacked or robbed or kidnapped. But these fears are rational and calculated and even if the chances are slim they are still possible.
I prefer not to dwell on these fears, or even admit them sometimes. I am much more open and willing to discuss (evil, disgusting) chia pets or gag at the sight of an onion. It turns out sometimes, that being irrational is much safer and more comforting than being rational. At least when it comes to fear.