There are certain October activities that err on the side of dramatic. Anxious, shall we say. I know perfectly normal people who will give up their cold hard cash on purpose to get lost in a dark maze full of professional actors. A pumpkin is inadequate for their anxieties. They need chainsaws. Screaming. Running. And an exit sign.
My idea of a good October activity is to let the house go for the month. I have cobwebs in every corner, dead flies on the window sills, and dust an inch thick everywhere else. Squeaky doors, mysterious footprints down the hall, slimy potions in the fridge. I don’t like to brag, but I have a 3″ slug living in my shower right now. Some people pay good money for this level of authenticity.
But really, what is your idea of scary? What is your worst nightmare? Your darkest fear?
- Creepy Crawlers: spiders, mice, rats, bugs, snakes, cockroaches, worms
- Pokey Things: needles, vampires, , splinters, dentists, bees, ticks, Inigo Montoya
- Squishy Grossness: blood, vomit, gore, germs, full diapers, basically anything involving a toddler
- Big Booms: thunder, barking dogs, fireworks, Instant pots, stereo systems commandeered by your teenager
- Squeezy Spots: elevators, graveyards, cubicles, holes, slot canyons, Walmart on Black Friday
- Stranger Danger: clowns, aliens, mimes, every Disney character in a bobble-head costume even Winnie the Pooh
- Location-o-phobia: airplane, ocean, bridges, space, heights, shark-nados, onstage with Dr Phil
- Embarrassment: pushing the “Send” button too soon, raising your hand in a meeting, farting in yoga class
And what are your coping mechanisms?
If you’re afraid of the dark (achluophobia) and going to sleep (somniphobia) because there might be a monster under your bed (teraphobia) and the dust bunnies down there are just as scary (amathophobia), you should put the mattress flat on the floor. Where the dolls can find you (pediophobia).
PS: That doll thing is real. Ask me some day about my Grandma’s house.
PPS: And also my adult children just told me that watching Toy Story scarred them for life. Let’s add another phobia:
9. Badmomophobia: the reason your kids need therapy.
Never making a “scary” memory again. 😉
I’m afraid of giant oozy glue sticks with legs, glitter tornadoes, and kindergarteners who hand me their boogers (the worst kind of “boogymen”! 😉
I can never go to sleep 💤 in a room when the closet door 🚪 is open 😱 .
Letting the house go for October. I like it. Scary and delicious. My phobia would have to be spiders or crawly things getting on the bed. My cat is a great spotter of spiders on the ceiling and has saved me a couple of times.