I can’t believe my first semester of college is almost over!!! Today I presented my last emotional response project for my Introduction to Theatre Design class. Mine seemed to be very different from most of the presentations. So many people had moving traumatic experiences that they remembered – and if not experiences, moving and emotional fears. And what are my fears?
Temporarily out of Service: My mother potty-trained me at a really young age, seat-belting me to the toilet just to let me sit there and “read” books and play with toys. She swears that due to early training I am crazy to this day. Up until last year, the fear of going to the bathroom in public was a very big problem for me. It still poses a problem for me, but it no longer inhibits me from going out and eating food that I enjoy. That being said, being stuck somewhere without a bathroom would be a NIGHTMARE.
Camelback Cricket: I am so scared of camelback crickets that I wouldn’t even put in a printed image of the bug, and had to have my mom trace the image – they are just that ugly! These pesky bugs infested Long Island years ago and have never left. Thanks to them, I can’t step foot in my basement anymore.
F: A fear of failure is very common and very varied. Not only am I afraid of failing an exam or project, I’m scared of failing at what I like to do. If I can’t ace my history exam, why am I a history major? If I can’t play that piece perfectly, why do I even try – hence my fear of performing. I also fear the disapproval of my family, especially my parents – a failure in a way.
Vomit: I made this vomit out of glue, paint, oatmeal, and store-brand CocoPuffs. I haven’t thrown up since I was about six years old, and because it has been so long, I’ve grown to be extremely afraid of throwing up. This fear leads to the fear of being sick in general and has lead to my hypochondria – though my mother does say I have always complained about not feeling well. This fear has also affected my eating habits.
Many people in class thought my box was really evocative of our “everyday fears.” These types of fears are just as powerful and frightening as a traumatic experience. And guess what! I’m not the only one who can’t swallow pills.
Marina B. Nebro
