TLDR AT THE END

I have a severe irrational phobia of moths. I know it doesn’t make sense and they can’t hurt you. No I don’t have the same fear of butterflies. I don’t know why I have it I have been this way since I was a kid. 

When I say severe I mean panic attack and crying at the sight of a moth flying around. Particularly if it is near a place I need to go. 

Well tonight I went to take my dog outside before bed and when I opened the door to my apartment there was a moth flying around the ceiling. A large one. It swooped down towards my door and I screamed and slammed the door. It is an indoor apartment building - my door opens to a hallway not the outside world. I didn’t know how to avoid this moth. I was terrified. My dog needed to pee. I but on a hoodie because that made me feel more protected and I opened my door again. This time it flew at my door. Nope. I couldn’t do it. I slammed the door shut and began to have a panic attack sobbing and all. 15 minutes later I got the courage to try again, deciding that I was just going to open the door and book it with bug spray in hand and that I had to do it. I open the door and… the moth is gone. I spent so long crying that it left. I’d like to think that was the universe’s reward to me for being willing to try. 

Anyway I’m definitely nowhere near being over my fear but at least I took a step and I tried. 

TLDR: I spent so long crying about facing a moth that when I finally had the courage to face it, it was gone.