Fear Is a Lot Like Cutting into an Avocado
They say, “The only way to get over a fear is to face it head-on”—but let’s be real, who actually wants to do that? For a long time, my approach to fear was, well… not exactly courageous. I avoided it, ignored it, and pretty much hoped that if I kept a safe distance, my anxieties would eventually get bored and leave me alone. They didn’t. Instead, they stuck around, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to pop back up—usually when I least expected it. I thought I could outsmart them. I mean, I’ve made some progress—which I have to give myself credit for. Take dogs, for example. There was a time when I was absolutely terrified of them. Not the big, intimidating ones, though—oh no, it was the little ones that made me nervous. The ones that act like your ankles are their personal chew toys. Now? I’ve got two dogs running around my house, bringing equal parts chaos and joy. It’s funny how the things we fear can become the things we love, once we stop running away from them. Then there’s parenting—don’t even get me started. The thought of juggling school projects, bedtime routines, and the whole ‘keeping a tiny human alive and thriving’ thing? I was scared shitless. Somehow, though, I figured it out. And I’m still figuring it out as we go along—it gets me emotional just thinking about how quickly time has flown by. I try to tackle parenting with love, patience, time, and a whole lot of humour. Because honestly, if you’re not laughing at the chaos, you’re probably crying, and sometimes both happen at the same time. Lately, I’ve started thinking about fear a little differently. It’s kind of like… an avocado. Stay with me here. You know that moment when you pick up an avocado at the store, and you have no idea what you’re getting into? It could be rock-hard and useless, or maybe it’s perfectly ripe and ready to go. Sometimes it looks great on the outside, but when you finally slice it open, it’s a mushy mess. Fear kind of feels like that to me. It’s wrapped up in layers, hiding what’s really going on inside. Then, you cut into it. The tough outer skin is tricky, but not impossible to get through. And once you do, you hit the creamy, soft inside—what you’ve been looking for. But then there’s the pit, this giant, stubborn thing in the middle. It’s solid and annoying, and no matter how many times you’ve dealt with it before, it still takes a little effort to work around. Fear is just like that avocado pit. At first, it seems like this unbreakable thing sitting in the way. But the more you deal with it, the easier it gets. Here’s the thing about both avocados and fear: they’re never quite as bad as they seem once you start dealing with them. You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t need to tackle everything at once. Just take it one step at a time—slice through the skin, work around the pit, and before you know it, you’re on the other side. So, next time you’re staring down a fear, think of it like an avocado. It might seem messy and unpredictable, but with a little patience, you can handle it. And who knows? You might just find something good inside once you get through the tough parts. Mental Matters is a resource and information platform. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While the information on our website is for general awareness and support, it should not replace professional advice. For any mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. Symptoms of Cuts Treatment of Cuts How to Handle a Panic Attack: What Helps and What Doesn’t Causes of Cuts Complications and Recovery from Cuts
