[sesame]

I guess it's more along the lines of agoraphobia - being afraid of situations where escape is difficult.

Something I've been wanting to try for the past few months is stand-up paddle boarding (if you haven't heard of it, look it up, it seems really interesting!). I decided to go for it. I spoke to an instructor, and we're meeting up today, later in the evening. My anxiety has kicked in, and the back of my mind keeps telling me to call and cancel.

I just keep thinking of all the "what if"s - what if I'm far out on the water and have a panic attack, what if I want to leave early, etc. I think what exacerbates this for me is that I'm usually less anxious when I'm just meeting someone somewhere instead of traveling with them, but for this I'm meeting up with him at his shop, and then I think we're traveling to this lake together.

I hate myself for even thinking about bailing on this. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and it's hard to say how much time is left in this season when the temperature is going to be high enough to comfortably hop into the water. The class itself is only supposed to be for about an hour and a half, but I guess from the outside it seems like a long time when you're anxious about it.

Gah. Wish me luck!

good luck... you will be fine!

let me know how it goes

[Miswimmy1]

best of luck!

[jelly-bean]

I think it's anxiety over trying something outside the box. I think if you go and give it a shot you'll be just fine. Otherwise you will be bothered by the fact that you wanted to but didn't. Just go with the idea that you will love doing it in mind.

[whatbeanbelieved]

GOOD LUCK!

Let us know how it goes. You will be great!

EDIT: AND if you choose not to go, which is also a choice you can make safely, know that that isn't the closing of this door. Yo opened it once, and you can open it again. Don't beat yourself up about wanting to take time.