Over the Edge: Conquering My Fear of Heights

I have conquered my fear of heights!

For years my story was that I was scared of heights. Whenever I was in a place high enough where you could look down my heart would pump faster, my knees would get weak and I could barely breathe.

My most vivid memory of my fear of heights was when I was in Paris and I was going up the Eiffel Tower. Going up to the top was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up because I was too scared to try. There are two stops when you go up the Eiffel Tower. We got to the first stop and all of a sudden I couldn’t move. I was frozen. I was so scared I felt paralyzed. I had to squat down and inch my way over to an area where I sat and waited while my husband (he was my boyfriend at the time) went up to the top level. When he came back he had to help me up because I was frozen by my fear.

My experience with the Eiffel Tower was embedded in my mind for years, while I continued to feel woozy at even the thought of looking over the edge somewhere high in the air. But, in 2004 I decided it was time to face my fear of heights and begin the process of overcoming it. I went to Miraval Resort and Spa in Arizona with the intention to participate in some of their outdoor adventures that specifically dealt with heights. I signed up for two activities, Out on a Limb and Quantum Leap. The description of these activities included trusting yourself and experiencing renewed confidence as you cope with unexpected fears.

Out on a Limb required me to climb up 30 feet in the air on a pole and walk across a horizontal limb to the other side and then climb down. The Quantum Leap was a 25 foot pole you climb up and stand on top of and then you jump off. When you do these activities you are secured by a harness for safety purposes. However, I still had a ton of anxiety , even though I knew I would be safe with the harness. I remember praying and trying really hard to have faith I would be okay. I kept saying over and over, “I trust I will be safe, I trust I will be safe.” I did both activities and I was safe. I was so happy I did it and I knew I took a huge step in overcoming my fear.

Through the years since my Miraval experience, I would occasionally push myself when there was an opportunity to look over the edge somewhere. I went on roller coasters and purposely looked out and over. I could breathe. My knees shook a little and my heart pumped pretty fast, but I could breathe and move my body. I wasn’t frozen.

It wasn’t until I decided to participate in a fundraiser for Big Brother Big Sisters did I realize I had truly overcome my fear of heights! The fundraiser was called Over the Edge for Kids. I decided to go over the edge and rappel off a building in downtown Columbus, Ohio. I believe we were close to 300 feet off the ground, which is pretty high.

I was able to look over the edge of the building and still breathe normally. My knees did not get weak, and I didn’t freeze up! I partnered with my dad and our team name was Courage for Kids. The hardest part was stepping over the edge. It was a strange feeling, but I was calm and smiled most of the time because I was actually having fun! I was excited to be trying something new and happy I was able to support such a great organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters. Just like kids in their programs overcome challenges in their life this event was symbolizing overcoming a challenge by rappelling down the side of a building.

It was an exhilarating experience and one I would definitely do again. There is no doubt in my mind I have overcome my fear of heights. I was able to overcome it because I was ready to let it go.

How can you overcome a fear?
•Acknowledge your fear and face it.
•Believe you can move through it. Visualize the possibility of overcoming your fear. If you don’t think it is possible then the probability of you overcoming your fear is low. Believe you can overcome your fear.
•Have faith you can conquer your fear and take a step towards it.
•Continue stepping forward facing your fear and eventually the fear will start to fade.
•Acknowledge when you have conquered your fear and give yourself permission to let your fear go.
•Be proud of your accomplishment.

Our fears can hold us back in life. Having courage to move towards your fear and through your fear will empower you in a whole new way. Consider taking that first step.