Fear of mice
The story
so yeah i’m 16 and a girl and i live on a farm, which sounds cute until you realize it also means mice, like a ridiculous amount of mice, and they are everywhere all the time and i swear they know when i’m already stressed. i’ve been scared of them for as long as i can remember, like heart racing, hands shaking, full panic mode when one runs across the floor. my family thinks it’s hilarious, especially my brothers, and even my parents do that little laugh like oh here we go again. i try to be polite about it and not yell, but sometimes it really hurts. last week one ran out from behind the feed bags and i jumped on a chair and everyone laughed for like five straight minutes. i know they’re tiny and probably more scared of me, people always say that, but my brain just doesn’t care. it feels embarrassing being scared of something so small, especially when you grow up around animals and mud and all that. sometimes i wonder if living on a farm automatically means you’re supposed to be fearless, like cows are fine and spiders are fine and mice should be fine too, but they are not fine to me. do you ever feel like your fear defines you more than you want it to?
i really want to change though, and that’s the part i don’t tell my family because they’d tease me even more. i don’t want to be the girl who screams every time a mouse shows up, even if it’s kind of who i’ve always been. i’ve tried little things, like watching them from far away when my dad is around, or not immediately running out of the room when i hear scratching. once i stayed still for like ten whole seconds while one ran across the kitchen, which felt like a huge deal to me, even if no one else noticed. my mom said i did good, in a calm nice way, and that helped more than she probably knows. i keep telling myself fear isn’t permanent, it’s more like a habit you can slowly unlearn if you’re patient. sometimes i even think the mice are just part of the farm doing their mouse business and i’m the weird one barging into their space. it sounds silly but that thought actually calms me down a bit. i still hate when my family jokes, but i try to remind myself they don’t mean to be cruel, they just don’t understand how real it feels to me 🐭
the other night i was alone in the barn and i heard that familiar scuffling sound and my first instinct was to run, but i stopped myself and took a breath and told myself i was safe, even though i really didn’t feel like it; i didn’t see the mouse, but i also didn’t panic, and that felt like progress. i’m trying to be hopeful and gentle with myself because being mean to myself never helped anyone. i think one day i might even be able to pick something up knowing a mouse could be nearby and not freak out, and that thought actually makes me smile. i know change takes time, especially with fears that live in your body and not just your thoughts. i wish my family would cheer me on instead of laughing, but maybe once they see me improving they will. until then i’ll keep trying, one small step at a time, and maybe my story can remind you that it’s okay to be scared and still want to be brave, right?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
You're definitely onto something, facing fears is no small feat! It's awesome that you realize change doesn't happen overnight and you're taking those little steps; every bit counts. It’s like Dory says, "Just keep swimming." Hang in there, and who knows? You might just surprise everyone (including yourself) with how brave you’ve become!!! Keep it up!
facing fears is tough, and it’s awesome you’re already seeing progress! i'll bet your persistence will pay off in the long run; it's inspiring to see how you're handling it with patience. "courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." keep moving forward, one step at a time 🐭
Look, I get it... mice can be unsettling, but it's good to see you're tackling this head-on. 🙄 Remember though: just because you live on a farm doesn't mean you have to be some fearless superhero; we're human, not invincible. It's commendable you're doing this for yourself and not just to quiet the laughter! keep at it, you'll get there! 😊
it's honestly kinda impressive how you're handling this. i mean, facing fears is tough, but you're taking steps and that's a big deal. you know, courage doesn't always roar; sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "i will try again tomorrow." sounds like your mom is starting to notice too, which is cool. keep at it, small progress is still progress!
Honestly, you’re stressing over nothing: mice ain’t gonna hurt you, so get a grip and stop letting this fear define you; push through the discomfort instead of falling back into panic mode all the time.
It's really commendable how you're taking proactive steps to overcome your fears. Everyone's afraid of something, and I totally get the feeling that fear can define you in ways you'd rather it didn't. Have you considered trying some relaxation techniques or maybe even exposure therapy in small doses? It sounds like you've already made significant strides just by staying calm in moments where you'd usually panic; that's a big deal! Keep giving yourself credit for those victories, no matter how small they seem. 🐭
Same fear here, I wouldn’t be able to live in a farm…
also big fear of their f*****cking mice!!!!
It's really refreshing to see someone tackling fears head-on like you are. I remember being terrified of heights as a kid, and it took me forever to work up the courage to even go on a Ferris wheel! You’re right!! fear can feel like this enormous part of who you are, but you're already proving that it doesn't have to be permanent. You're not letting those tiny critters hold all the power over you. It says a lot about your character that you're pushing forward despite your family's teasing; I've no doubt they'll come around when they see how much progress you're making. Keep at it, you're way braver than you give yourself credit for 🐭
yeah, i get how annoying it is when family doesn't take your fears seriously. like sure, they’re just mice, but fear isn't always rational, right?? it's cool you’re trying to face it head-on even when they laugh! i bet that takes some real guts. anyway, maybe try talking to them about how much this scares you for real? sometimes people don’t realize how deep a fear runs until you spell it out for them. who knows? they might surprise you and start offering more support!! keep at it!
It's admirable that you're confronting this fear, even when it feels overwhelming. Have you explored the idea of desensitization? Gradually allowing yourself to become accustomed to mice could help reduce your anxiety over time. Your incremental approach seems wise :-) each small victory is a testament to your resilience! Keep focusing on those positive moments; they'll accumulate into significant change eventually!!! 🐭
Okay, so let me get this straight: you're scared of mice on a farm? That's like being afraid of sand at the beach 🏖️. Facing fear is all well and good, but how do you plan to actually coexist with the reality of your environment? Fear can be reconditioned over time, sure, but what’s your strategy here? just hoping you'll magically stop being afraid one day? What exactly makes these mice trigger such a primal response for you compared to other common farm animals or critters? Maybe understanding that could help you more effectively address it.
Man, I feel for you. Being scared of mice might seem trivial to others, but fear is fear, and it doesn't care if something's small or harmless. What you're doing (sticking around instead of running) isn't just progress; it's like mental resistance training, slowly building up your courage muscle. People often overlook how tough it can be to change these ingrained reactions; it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. At least your mom noticed your effort, and sometimes that one tiny bit of acknowledgment makes all the difference. Keep pushing through, because let me tell you: conquering this will give you a sense of control that's gonna spill over into other parts of your life in ways you never even expected! Keep proving yourself wrong 🚀
i totally get why you're freaked out by the mice, even if farms kind of come with that territory; your fear is valid and it's great you're making an effort to face it.
it's really tough when your fears are something others find funny, especially family; but I gotta say, it sounds like you're handling it with grace even if it feels lonely. it's awesome that you're trying to change for yourself and not just to stop the teasing because that's a powerful motivation; keep pushing through those small wins like staying calm in the barn – those moments are huge steps forward. i can relate to feeling like maybe we should be fearless in certain environments, but honestly, fear doesn't make us any less strong or brave; you’re showing real courage here by continuing to face what scares you most. who knows? maybe your journey will inspire your family to see strength in vulnerability and they'll start cheering you on soon enough; until then, your quiet bravery is already making waves.
yo, i get being scared of something that feels totally irrational, but come on... mice on a farm is kinda expected. like, it's their turf too, you know? this whole notion of ‘fear isn’t permanent’ is neat but let's be real: it also requires hard work and consistent effort to actually change it. everyone has got fears that seem silly to others; mine was seaweed touching my legs at the beach... made me flail like an idiot every time 😂. maybe start small with understanding these lil critters instead of just trying not to freak out? learn about what they do for the farm ecosystem or find a way to keep them out of your personal space. knowledge sometimes dulls fear’s edge more than avoiding it does.
Facing your fears head-on is definitely a commendable endeavor, especially in an environment like a farm where you're constantly encountering mice. It's intriguing how you mentioned thinking of them as part of the farm doing their "mouse business" :p that perspective shift might be a pivotal key in lessening the fear's grip. 🐭 Maybe consider this: instead of focusing on eliminating the fear entirely, perhaps aim to transform it into something manageable and less daunting over time? Your journey is telling us all that change is not only possible but also deeply personal and unique to each individual. Keep believing in yourself; progress, no matter how small, is still progress! ✨
i totally get the whole "mice panic" thing; it's like your brain is wired to go full alert even when you know logically they won't harm you. 🐭 i had a fear of dogs as a kid, and growing up in a neighborhood full of them was no picnic! what helped me was reshaping my narrative about them - realizing not every bark meant danger helped ease the tension over time. maybe gradually associating mice with something positive could lessen that primal fear response? your journey feels really encouraging, and kudos for taking on something that's such an intrinsic part of farm life; you’re doing awesome!
yo, i get the whole mice situation being a total bummer, but here's a different spin: maybe leaning into the farm life vibe could help take some of the edge off. like you said, they’re just doing their mouse thing on the farm; helps to see them as part of that ecosystem rather than intruders; kinda like how sunlight and rain are just parts of nature. your family might not get it now, but fear’s personal and when you're ready to share more about what spooks ya, it'll probably open their eyes a bit. small steps in facing your fears is impressive enough!! keep at it 🐭 people don’t always realize it's not about flipping a switch but gradually rewiring how your brain reacts to these things!
dude, living on a farm sounds like an adventure and i totally get how mice can feel super overwhelming. it must be hard when the people closest to you don’t fully understand that; but hey, it’s awesome you’re determined to handle it your way 😊 sometimes the bravest thing is admitting you're scared and still choosing to face it. trying little by little is so smart; it's like building up a new skill or hobby: it takes time but every step counts! remember, courage isn’t about not being scared; it’s about feeling the fear and doing your best anyway 😊
you know, it's interesting that you're working on this fear in such a patient way and not just expecting yourself to change overnight; sounds like you understand progress is more about tiny steps and less about quantum leaps, which i respect.
Hey there, I totally get how it can suck when people laugh at something that genuinely freaks you out. Fear isn't always rational, and no amount of "logic" changes the way your body reacts to those small furry intruders. Your approach of viewing them as part of their own little world sounds super healthy, though 😊. It might help to think about it this way: every time you face a mouse without completely freaking out, you're building resilience not just in dealing with mice but also in other tough situations too. Also, maybe try discussing with your family directly about how the teasing affects you; perhaps they don't realize the impact it's having. Keep taking those baby steps because overcoming fears is all about gradual progress 🎉!
they are sooo cuuuute 😁