Last month, one of our clients asked me to participate in a promotional video for the bungee jump he built in the Old Port of Montreal; and, I’m always happy to help a client… but, there was one small problem: I am absolutely terrified of heights.
In fact, during condo showings, I’m known to stay inside while everyone else enjoys the view from the balcony. So, when this request came in, every part of me was screaming “NO!”, until I allowed the little voice in my head to respond, to my great surprise: “Ok.”
The request came in on Wednesday, for Friday same week. It came way too fast!
FYI, it’s a 210-foot free-fall; the tallest bungee jump in Canada.
Standing on the platform looking down, I genuinely wondered if this was how bad decisions begin… and end. The crew was pumped. My client was smiling. The camera was rolling. Meanwhile, my legs were trying to file for divorce from the rest of my body.
I had to recite a line to the camera and then jump…backward.
Take 1: I do the line and then when everyone is expecting me to jump, I just freeze and stay on the platform… (see video bellow)
Take 2: I pump myself up, I do the line and then, I think “F*** it!”, and actually jump!
First seconds into the open air were pure panic, and too short on time for regret: Then quickly came excitement!
Hanging… while plummeting, brought an odd feeling of fun.
Simple.
Pure.
Childlike.
Fun!
Somewhere between the last scream, and the first bounce, the fear disappeared.
I realized “fear” is more frightening than the act in real life, in real time.
Now: Did this cure my fear of heights? Absolutely not. But, now I know that sometimes the best moments happen right after you do something that scares the heck out of you (me!).