"Deep down", you admit yourself that your early experiences were perfectly normal and fine. Then why not say you have a fear of hangovers, or even a fear of leaving Ireland or travelling to England? Obviously because none of those things would even get you to first base, sympathy-wise
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."
Because my psychological association and consequent fear reaction is to do with flying in aeroplanes and not any of those other things. Again, you're making the mistake of thinking of it as though it is a conscious decision on my part to feel like this. It isn't. If I could stop it, God knows I would.
Why do you imagine any of this is about garnering sympathy? I don't want sympathy, but a little empathy might be nice.
Last edited by Burney; 09-01-2017 at 11:27 AM.
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."
Because my initial fear was about being on the plane and desperately wanting not to be.
I continue to fly because I have to for work and because I've learned to manage my fears - if not eliminate them.
I would argue that - by its very nature - there is no such thing as a sub-conscious decision.