Arriving in South Africa in late 2013, I feared the worst. The thought of being mugged, stranded, running out of water, chased by elephants, eaten by lions, attacked by people or my tent being surrounded by Hyena's was absolutely terrifying. All of these concerns were before I even had time to consider the physical aspect of what I was about to do.
Truth is, I suffered with them for most of my life and wondered how to deal with anxiety and fear. In the past it has been too easy to let even the slightest of concerns turn me off an idea, never mind the opinion of others allowing for the same. My imagination seemed continually hell bent on conjuring up horrible thoughts, scenarios and I seemed to worry about failure.
Today, the fear is still present but I continue forward in a very different world, one that rewards any time I avoid choosing the easy option, one that encourages me to defy what my emotions are telling me. It would be irresponsible to ignore fear but wise to remember it as just an emotion all the same.
I write this article from Nairobi, Kenya and over halfway to riding a bicycle the length of Africa. Six thousand kilometres of friendly locals have allowed me realise "I have the right to travel freely", that people are good, they do not want any trouble and are naturally tuned to be kind to their fellow man. I have passed elephants on the roadside, such wonderful creations who ask only that we do not get too close, that we respect their fear of the unknown human in front of them. The apprehension and trepidation that seemed to precede everything I did in the past was slowly disappearing,
In short, none of my fear of travelling such unknown areas with vulnerability has been realised and as I continue cycling north through the "Dark Continent", I see nothing but light - it consumes me. While a healthy dose of fear protects my natural instincts, the acute anxieties have all but disappeared.
Taking time and making a decision to face my fears shows up most worry to be false concerns. So now when anxieties come, I have learnt how to control emotions, how to stay calm and just keep going.
My bicycle ride through Africa has been much more than just an adventure, it has been the reason behind a distinct absence in my life and an emotion I hold close to me.
While the anxiety disappears, Fear keeps me safe.
Truth is, I suffered with them for most of my life and wondered how to deal with anxiety and fear. In the past it has been too easy to let even the slightest of concerns turn me off an idea, never mind the opinion of others allowing for the same. My imagination seemed continually hell bent on conjuring up horrible thoughts, scenarios and I seemed to worry about failure.
Today, the fear is still present but I continue forward in a very different world, one that rewards any time I avoid choosing the easy option, one that encourages me to defy what my emotions are telling me. It would be irresponsible to ignore fear but wise to remember it as just an emotion all the same.
I write this article from Nairobi, Kenya and over halfway to riding a bicycle the length of Africa. Six thousand kilometres of friendly locals have allowed me realise "I have the right to travel freely", that people are good, they do not want any trouble and are naturally tuned to be kind to their fellow man. I have passed elephants on the roadside, such wonderful creations who ask only that we do not get too close, that we respect their fear of the unknown human in front of them. The apprehension and trepidation that seemed to precede everything I did in the past was slowly disappearing,
In short, none of my fear of travelling such unknown areas with vulnerability has been realised and as I continue cycling north through the "Dark Continent", I see nothing but light - it consumes me. While a healthy dose of fear protects my natural instincts, the acute anxieties have all but disappeared.
Taking time and making a decision to face my fears shows up most worry to be false concerns. So now when anxieties come, I have learnt how to control emotions, how to stay calm and just keep going.
My bicycle ride through Africa has been much more than just an adventure, it has been the reason behind a distinct absence in my life and an emotion I hold close to me.
While the anxiety disappears, Fear keeps me safe.
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