Arachnophobia

What fears have you overcome and how?

I am posting not because I have overcome my fear, but in hopes that maybe someone can actually suggest something that is reasonable and works.

I’ve been afraid of spiders since I can remember. What I can’t remember, is why, or how, I became afraid of them.

I remember as a toddler my grandma had a bug catcher that we’d catch things in, sometimes Daddy Long Legs included. I remember not liking them, but I also remember my grandma attempting to teach me they are friends. So where the hell did the fear come from?

One thing I can say with certainty is that I feel I’ve had a strange number of odd spider encounters. I’m not sure what the average standard would be for people having spider occurrences in automobiles, but surely I must be on the track for setting a record. Nothing quite like having a spider sprint across your dashboard, or better yet, drop directly in front of your face, while operating a motor vehicle. I live for those traumatic moments, so I can test my skills at staying alive while simultaneously having a heart attack. 😉

Okay readers, for real though, seeking feedback. How many times can you recall having a traumatic spider encounter while driving in your lifetime? For reference, I am 33 and can vividly remember at least 5 separate times I’ve been traumatized.

Second piece of feedback I am seeking: how do I diminish my fear of spiders without encountering them more?