Fright Night: The Thrill of Being Scared

Exploring the Sensation and Allure of Fear in Books, Films, and Surprises

Do You Like Being Scared?

As October approaches and the chill in the air grows stronger, the world seems to collectively indulge in a love for all things spooky. Haunted houses, horror movies, and suspenseful novels take center stage, daring us to confront our fears. But what is it about being scared that draws so many people in? Is it the adrenaline rush, the sense of suspense, or simply the chance to break the monotony of everyday life?

The Sensation of Being Scared

Being scared is a unique and powerful sensation. It starts with a quickened heartbeat, a flush of cold sweat, and a tightening in the gut. Your senses sharpen; every shadow seems deeper, every sound amplified. There's a primal jolt, a surge of adrenaline that prepares the body for action, a response hardwired from our ancient ancestors. For a fleeting moment, you're completely alert, present, and alive.

Whether it’s the slow, creeping dread from a chilling novel or the sudden jolt of a cinematic jump scare, fear can feel both overwhelming and exhilarating. Your mind races with possibilities, trying to predict what will happen next. Paradoxically, our bodies react as if in real danger, even though we know, deep down, that we are safe.

Why I Love (or Don’t Love) Being Scared

Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with fear. There’s something undeniably captivating about immersing myself in a suspenseful story or a scary film. It’s a safe playground for emotions that we rarely encounter in daily life. The sense of relief and accomplishment after the fear passes is like coming off a roller coaster, shaky, but triumphant. It’s a reminder of how resilient and adaptable our minds can be.

On the other hand, not everyone enjoys this feeling. For some, being scared is simply uncomfortable or overwhelming. The sensation of helplessness or the anticipation of something dreadful can be off-putting. Instead of excitement, it might trigger anxiety or unease, making scary experiences less enjoyable and more stressful.

The Allure of Fear

So why do so many people seek out the sensation of being scared? For many, it’s the thrill, the safe rush of adrenaline that doesn’t come with real consequences. It’s a way to experience extremes of emotion within the boundaries of safety, knowing that as soon as the book is closed or the film ends, reality returns. It’s also a social experience: shrieking in unison at a jump scare, nervously laughing after a surprise, or sharing ghost stories late into the night.

Conclusion

Whether you love or loathe being scared, Fright Night is an opportunity to explore the edges of your comfort zone. For some, fear is a welcome visitor, bringing excitement, bonding, and unforgettable memories. For others, it’s best left behind 
I write

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Keeping Up with the Jones'

 They tell you not to compare. Do not measure your life against the neighbor’s. Do not chase the illusion of status. Wise words. And mostly ignored by anyone with a pulse. But the one luxury I dream of is not a shiny car or a gadget that glows in the dark. I want land. And a home rooted in that land. A mansion, yes, because why lie about the scale of the vision? Something built to last. Something that cannot be folded into a suitcase or lost the moment a visa expires. Picture this. A wide stretch of earth that belongs to my family name. Soil that remembers the footsteps of children now grown. Trees that rise taller long after I am gone. A house with a high roof and windows that pull in the morning sun instead of shutting it out. A library filled with the books I wrote and the ones that wrote me. A workshop where tools rest not in transit cases but on familiar walls. A kitchen where laughter outnumbers plates. A long table where every seat has a story, and none are borrowed. A pl...
Read more

Humble Pie

 We all have a private accounting system. You put in effort. You expect return. You sacrifice now. You imagine reward later. Neat math. Encouraging math. Math that makes you feel in control. For a long time, I thought I understood that math. I believed that twenty five years working abroad in the Middle East, away from family roots and Canadian soil, would translate into financial freedom. I imagined coming home with savings stacked, investments humming, and a calm sense that the future was covered. Then the bill came due. It turns out life charges interest on distance. On risk. On uncertainty. On raising kids in a country where family safety costs more than anyone back home could ever imagine. On working for companies that benefit from your best years but forget your name the moment the contract ends. And suddenly the numbers did not add up. I found myself staring at a truth harder than I liked. All that time. All that sweat. All that faith in a system. And I was not wealthy....
Read more

Now You See Me

 If I could appear and disappear at will, I would not waste the ability doing parlor tricks or sneaking into bank vaults. I know what it is like to be needed in a moment that decides everything. I know what it feels like to wish I could vanish from a moment that hurts. So here is how I would use my superpower. When my son faced his first night behind a locked door, I would appear beside him. Not to break him out. Not to bend justice. Just to sit. To tell him the walls were temporary and the world outside was still waiting for him. Fathers cannot always fix, but we can always remain. And when the decision came down from a judge with more power over my family than any human should have, I would disappear into my own calm, just long enough not to let fear speak for me. I would appear in the homes of every hiring manager who tossed my résumé aside after fifteen years of loyalty evaporated with the word “redundant.” I would stand right in front of them until they could not ignore my...
Read more