How to be less afraid of the dark?

[ackie]

I felt like I had more to say but idk.

Basically acknowledging you're not crazy is the first step to controlling your emotions. Beating yourself up just makes it harder.

 

[black_cat]

Tonight was a success....I went out on my own with a flashlight and was repeating "i'm the scariest thing here!!" over and over while walking with really big/heavy/confident steps. Right after I latched the coop, the neighbor's door opened and I was back in the house before you could say 'startled'.

 

[aart]

Tonight was a success....I went out on my own with a flashlight and was repeating "i'm the scariest thing here!!" over and over while walking with really big/heavy/confident steps

Good for YOU!!

Right after I latched the coop, the neighbor's door opened and I was back in the house before you could say 'startled'.

But....this cracked my UP!

 

[black_cat]

But....this cracked my UP!

You're cracking me up

Apparently I'm very funny tonight.

 

[microchick]

Good for you. I think I initially read your first post wrong. I thought you were having trouble getting the chickens to go into the coop at night. Sorry. My Bad. Teach me to respond right before I go to bed.

As for the trouble you are having with the dark, I completely understand your plight. I wasn't comfortable with the dark until I got much older than you are now. When my parents were alive they would tell me that there wasn't anything in the dark that wasn't there when it was light. I didn't quite comprehend what they were saying until I got to be an adult.

Now my husband and I live in deep rural Missouri in the middle of an Amish community. No lights visible for over a half mile and that is the non Amish neighbor's lone vapor farm security light.

My coop is a couple hundred feet from the house, past our barn. All shadows and deep dark at night. I'm glad that you are carrying a flashlight. That is what I do. Making noise? Great! I was going to suggest that you take an empty pop can, rinse it out, put about 5 marbles or small rocks in it, tape over the hole and shake it as you make your way towards your coop. If there are any critters out there they will scatter.

I am 67 years old and the dark still makes me nervous at times but not like it used to. I usually take one of our dogs out with me, along with my trusty flashlight and talk to the dog while I'm out.

Biggest nerve wracking experience for me? Going out at night to check the coop after a severe thunderstorm with lightening flashing and thunder still crashing after the rain and wind had let up enough for me to make sure my coop and run was in one piece.

But all I have to do is watch our border collie/walker coon hound mix. If he's relaxed, I'm relaxed. If he runs away from me towards the road or the pasture I find a shadow to stand in until I'm sure all is safe. If he is raising you know what, I go back to the house until I can figure out what has him riled. He is a great early warning system.

Truth is, we all have our 'thing's' that we don't like. Truth be told not many are thrilled with being out after dark but it sounds as though you are getting a handle on things.

 

[Weeg]

I always have the same feeling! Do you have a dog? I always bring my dog out and I am not as scared. I haven't read the whole thread so I don't know all of the suggestions. I get it! Me too!

 

[ackie]

Yaaay yay yay!

 

[PioneerChicks]

That used to be me. I was/am not so scared of the dark as what is in the dark. My tips: use a bright flash light and distract yourself by thinking about books, chickens, BYC, anything you can think of that keeps your mind off the dark. Also, when there is snow on the ground it makes the night much brighter.
Good luck!

ETA: singing also helps, and porch lights. Or talking nonsense aloud to the chickens or cats.

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm very short and petite but, have been told more than once I have a KICK like a mule. I'm a pretty docile person most of the time but, when I get mad, REALLY, REALLY MAD, I literally see RED AND AM NOT AFRAID OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF!

 

[microchick]

I'm very short and petite but, have been told more than once I have a KICK like a mule. I'm a pretty docile person most of the time but, when I get mad, REALLY, REALLY MAD, I literally see RED AND AM NOT AFRAID OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF!

You? Sweet friendly funny DD has a kick like a mule? I'm sure there is a great story attached to that statement.

Me? I'm short and petite also and have been called 'an intimidating little woman' when pushed over the line. Doesn't happen often. I'm kinda like the saying that goes 'I want to be the type of woman that when I wake up in the morning the devil says, Oh crap! She's awake!'