SI is a bitch. I've started a desensitization program and wanted to share it as it seems to be working:
Start week 1: stand on a high place every day and try to jump. Can't, won't, too scary. But as the week went on, the fear of heights diminished. I started small and built up to a five story car park, then a high bridge (Bristol suspension bridge, it's really high).
Week 2: high diving into water. Started off the side of the pool then progressed to higher diving platforms. There were three levels. The highest was very scary but no limits to how often I could repeat and desensitize myself.
Week 3: bungee jump. Failed first two attempts. Succeeded third. Was exhilarating but made me realise how terrifying it would be without the cord.
Week 4: jumped out of a plane three times with a parachute. The first time it felt like an impossible thing to contemplate but the instructor just made me do it basically. I was strapped to him and kind of drew on his absolute confidence. Second time jumped with instructor again. Third time jumped on my own but with instructor.
I didn't do this over the course of four weeks. Was more like 12 but for illustrative purposes it seemed more elegant and could be done if you had better organisational skills than me lol.
I feel I am now ready to do a ctb jump. It will be from a very high building. I'm going to do some dives at my local swimming pool as I want to land head first. I can now dive comfortably from the highest platform without fear. I know it will be different when the water isn't there but the SI is definitely being lulled into a false sense of security.
Start week 1: stand on a high place every day and try to jump. Can't, won't, too scary. But as the week went on, the fear of heights diminished. I started small and built up to a five story car park, then a high bridge (Bristol suspension bridge, it's really high).
Week 2: high diving into water. Started off the side of the pool then progressed to higher diving platforms. There were three levels. The highest was very scary but no limits to how often I could repeat and desensitize myself.
Week 3: bungee jump. Failed first two attempts. Succeeded third. Was exhilarating but made me realise how terrifying it would be without the cord.
Week 4: jumped out of a plane three times with a parachute. The first time it felt like an impossible thing to contemplate but the instructor just made me do it basically. I was strapped to him and kind of drew on his absolute confidence. Second time jumped with instructor again. Third time jumped on my own but with instructor.
I didn't do this over the course of four weeks. Was more like 12 but for illustrative purposes it seemed more elegant and could be done if you had better organisational skills than me lol.
I feel I am now ready to do a ctb jump. It will be from a very high building. I'm going to do some dives at my local swimming pool as I want to land head first. I can now dive comfortably from the highest platform without fear. I know it will be different when the water isn't there but the SI is definitely being lulled into a false sense of security.
