That’s why I set out to do some close-eyed freedives the next time we’re in Panheel. Plus the fact that I wrote it down here and bring with me the things you and Nanja pointed out, hopefully I’m gonna get the fear factor down a few notches.

Finding out where the fear comes from and finding ways to minimize it are obviously great. Just last week I saw (in the corner of my eyes) Nanja and a dear buddy of mine work (with NLP techniques I think) on staying relaxed at depth. The results were really very nice to see!

But want I wanted to write is: Why is your fear per se a bad thing? I mean (like you already wrote). Shit yes, it is dark, unknown, cold, unnatural even and many more bad things. So it’s logical you experience fear. But how serious you want to take that emotion is to some degree up to you.

I’m always keen on receiving feedback, that’s why I post on the Internet. I would be stupid to discard feedback and criticism, when commenter’s have good intentions.

I’ve been trying to look back at previous situations, but maybe not far enough. Recognizing it in other situations than one, also fills me with hope. So whenever I find my tormentor, deal with it and give it a spot in my mind, I can have peace of mind again whilst doing the freediving I love.

It’s great to hear you’re progressing with your NLP master course, whenever I feel the need for help I know where I should be.

Thanks Nanja

I’ve been troubled by the same experience. The lessons I’m following in my NLP master course give me some hints. While you say you reckognise the feeling in more then one context it’s probably an ‘ old’ feeling. It has been set in your younger years, when there was a situation where you were afraid in the dark, or that someone put pressure on you in a situation where you were afraid or somethng like that, so now on a situation where you want to ‘push’ there is a part that’s holding you back. What can you do?
Try to find the earliest situation where you had this feeling. That could be going back to 4 to 6 years old. Look what the positive intention of the feeling is. And what does the young Sanne need to not be afraid. This can even be an important person in that situation (a dad or a mum).
Then look for a situation in your life where you had a lot of that feeling (understanding, guts, trust, love somethig like that) and visualise the you give this feeling to your younger you or the other person(s) in that situation. Than let yourself grow up with that feeling and feel what a difference that will make. Than at the end visualise a freedive in Panheel at 35 meter or something and feel again the difference it makes.

Maybe it sounds a bit zweverig (don’t know the translation ;-)) but give it a try. Try it when your relaxed and realy listen to yourself while doing it. If you find some trouble in doing it and you want to try it anyway you can always meet me and I’ll help you with some more NLP techniques. I’m always looking for someone to practise on.

If you won’t it’s always nice to read about a different approach to work with fears, isn’t it? :-)