Crossing the road, crossing the Fear

A family of four—a father, mother, seven-year-old Meera, and her three-year-old brother—moved from their village to the city in search of work. They lived in a temporary hut near a construction site, just like many other families who had come for labor jobs.

Meera was an enthusiastic and brave girl, always eager to explore. Their new home was far from any shops, and if they needed anything, they had to cross a heavy-traffic road to reach the market. Meera’s parents would go once a week to buy groceries, vegetables, or other essentials, strictly instructing Meera never to cross the road alone.

However, Meera did not listen to their warnings. Whenever her parents were not around, she would cross the road to buy chewing gum and chocolates. It was a busy road filled with heavy vehicles, but she had no fear. Sometimes, when her little brother cried to go with her, she would carry him on her back and cross the road without hesitation.

Days passed, and one day, Meera’s elder cousins visited for a festival celebration. They had a wonderful time together, but soon, it was time for her cousins to leave. Their bus stop was on the other side of the road, and as they stepped onto the street, Meera followed behind them. She was always careful while crossing, but this time, in her excitement, she ran ahead to catch up with them.

Just then, a speeding car came rushing toward her. Before she could react, it hit her. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured, but something inside her had changed.

Fear Takes Over

After that accident, Meera still wanted to buy her favorite treats, but something stopped her. As she stood at the edge of the road, fear gripped her. The memory of the speeding car flashed in her mind—What if it happens again? The thought kept running through her head, making her hesitate.

For the first time, Meera turned around and went back home without crossing the road. From that day on, she started avoiding it completely. Whenever she needed to go to the other side, she waited for someone to help her. What was once an easy and fearless task becoming something she dreaded. Over time, her hesitation turned into a deep fear—crossing the road was no longer just difficult; it had become a phobia.

Years passed, and Meera completed her education and secured a job. However, her fear of crossing the road never faded. Every morning, she had to cross the road to catch the bus to work, but it was never easy. She would stand at the edge, waiting for someone else to cross first so she could follow them. Some days, she waited too long and missed her bus.

This daily struggle made her realize how much her fear controlled her life. While searching online, she came across articles and books about phobias and anxiety. As she read more, she recognized the symptoms in herself—her hesitation, racing thoughts, and the overwhelming fear that stopped her from stepping forward.

At first, she refused to admit it. She saw it as a weakness, something she should be able to overcome easily. The idea of having a psychological issue scared her even more. But deep down, she knew this fear was rooted in her childhood accident and ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away. Finally, she accepted that she had a phobia and decided to face it. Doubts, low self-confidence, and hesitation held her back, but she took the first step. She started watching YouTube videos, reading self-help books, and searching for ways to heal herself. It wasn’t easy, but she was determined to overcome her fear.

The Healing Journey

Meera embarked on her healing journey, determined to take back control. She started with small steps—crossing roads with very little traffic, where she felt safer. Gradually, she challenged herself to cross busier roads, but always with someone’s help.

Over time, she pushed herself further, attempting to cross moderately busy roads alone. Some days, she succeeded. Other days, she froze in the middle of the road, forcing vehicles to brake suddenly. There were moments when fear got the best of her, making her step back instead of moving forward. But she didn’t give up.

On her way to work, she kept trying. Some days, she crossed the road confidently. Other days, she hesitated and waited for help. It wasn’t a linear process—progress came with setbacks. But each time she tried, she grew stronger.

Eventually, she was able to cross the road on her own. The fear still lingered, but she refused to let it define her. Even on days when she struggled, she had the willingness to try again. Slowly, what once seemed like an impossible challenge no longer controlled her life.

Breaking the Cycle

Just like Meera, many of us experience situations, incidents, or accidents that shake our confidence and change who we are. Some experiences are so powerful that they alter our beliefs, making us fear facing similar situations or people again. Over time, this fear turns into anxiety or even a deep-rooted phobia.

In Meera’s case, it was a road accident. For others, it could be failure, rejection, heartbreak, or trauma. In these moments, we feel helpless, ashamed, and afraid of being judged. We may even start to believe that we are stuck—that there is no way out.

But the truth is, we have the ability to change. Even when our minds tell us otherwise, healing is possible. The first step is acceptance—acknowledging that our pain is real. Healing is not always easy, but it is within our reach. With courage and persistence, we can reclaim our confidence and overcome our fears.

Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed; it means the damage no longer controls us. Just like Meera, we all have the power to break the cycle of fear and reclaim our lives. The journey may not be easy, and there may be setbacks, but with courage and persistence, we can move forward. Healing begins the moment we choose to face our fears instead of running from them. It’s not about erasing the past but about ensuring it no longer holds us back.