I'm going on 20/20 today to talk about my elevator phobia. Funnily enough, I'm way more nervous about taking the elevator up to the studio than being on TV. Wish me luck!!! :)P.S. If you don't hear from me later today, it means I'm stuck on the elevator and you must come save me. Update: I made it, whew! The taping was really fun, although I definitely sounded like a bit of a nut. :) The show is slated to air on Friday, June 3rd an upcoming Friday, to be determined; I'll keep you posted!
(Illustration by Garance Dore)
What?! That is so random and awesome you will be on 20/20- talking about elevator phobias. What brought this on? Although, I think it would be hilarious to do a television segment on the phobias of being on television.
ReplyDeleteCould you take the stairs up to the studio? :) Good luck!
ReplyDelete-Erica in Iowa
You can do it! Deep breaths :)
ReplyDeleteWhen can we catch the segment? That's really exciting!
Becca
thanks for your votes of confidence. i think the show is slated for june 3rd, i'll keep you posted!!
ReplyDeleteHaving terrible time trying to leave comment. Weird.
ReplyDeleteElevator nerves for 40 years so I hope you won't need a rescue from me. I'd gladly text/tweet your distress, tho;:) you'll be fine!
Have a fantastic time Joanna!!! I cant wait to see it. You will do great for sure:)
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see this edition of the show! I, too, have an elevator phobia, especially when I am in one with my little boy. Eeek!
ReplyDeletethank you for these sweet comments!!
ReplyDeletethat's incredible. don't forget your pants, like the girl in the pic seems to have done.
ReplyDeleteAh how...exciting? Awesome? I think it's pretty cool that you'll be on 20/20. Can't wait to see it! And don't worry, there have to be emergency stairs in the building. Fire code.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteI have this phobia too!!!
Good luck! I get really freaked out when I have to get on escalators.
ReplyDelete20/20!! How exciting!!! I don't like elevators but I certainly don't have a phobia. Good luck, remember to breath! I like to close my eyes when something scary is happening (like driving on hills or near the edge of cliffs) then I can pretend it's not really happening!
ReplyDelete<3 MuffinLovesBiscuit
I used to be afraid of elevators, but was forced to get over it by living in a city that builds up. The story goes, so I've been told, that an elevator door closed on me when I was 3 years old, and I was too young to realize the door would automatically reopen. Apparently that freaked me about so much that from then on I always took the stairs, even making my relatives join me on the ascent.
ReplyDeleteI'm no longer afraid of taking elevators, but I still get scared sometimes that I'll end up stuck in one. I also really don't like it when people over-crowd elevators and they bounce.
oh my goodness poor you! is this a life long condition? do you live in a building with an elevator - if then what do you do - especially with strollers etc.??
ReplyDeleteyou'll be awesome.
ReplyDeletehaha. you'll be ok. I have a terrible, horrible fear of rollercoasters, confronting people and velvet. I literally get the same physical reaction to all 3! haha
ReplyDeleteI once rode an elevator to the 62nd floor and it was one of those that are floors 50-60 only. If it's like that, just take the stairs partway. You might be so exhausted you'll forget about your fear! hahaha That's what I did.
How exciting!!...The fact that you're going on '20/20'. Not the fact that you're nervous about the elevator! ^_^ I used to have that same phobia. Either I out-grew it, or getting old was more scary!! LOL
ReplyDeleteOh no...an elevator! But, oh yay-20/20! That is so flipping awesome! Take deep breaths, close your eyes, and let the awesomeness of the situation cancel out the scariness. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteso cool!!! maybe you should take the stairs? just give yourself enough time to regroup once you get to the top!
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely not the only one with this fear! I've been afraid of being stuck in small places since being locked in a closet during a childhood prank. When I lived in an apartment and had to take the elevator every day, the fear got a little better. So there is hope!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, the little illustration describes that nervous feeling perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great- interesting topic though! Can you take the stairs up to the office? :)
ReplyDeleteAnd not to be a stickler, but did you know that funnily is not a word?
I sympathise with you 100%. I have had an elevator phobia since I was a child and I have no idea what brought it on.
ReplyDeleteWhile on holiday in Spain in 2006, my worst fears were realised when I got stuck in the elevator on my own one day.
Our room was on the top floor of the hotel and I had been stressing about these elevators all week and then it only went and happened!!
In the event, NOTHING happened, I rang the alarm and someone came and opened the doors for me and helped me out as I was between floors!
Before I had children, it was fairly easy to avoid elevators and use stairs instead but having a stroller with me, I have had to face my fears and just get on and use them. Since I have been using eevators more regularly, my anxiety does seem to have subsided slightly, but I still hold my breath all the way and am only happy once those doors have re-opened!
Good luck, will be thinking of you!
(In my best Bethenny Frankel voice): "Get OUTTA here!"
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero, lady. Knock 'em dead!
elevators can be quite creepy. i especially hate the one at my doctors office that is SO old and creaky. i always contemplate taking the stairs, but it's 11 flights and clearly i am lazy.
ReplyDeleteAre they having a show on phobias or something? You will have to post when it airs!
ReplyDeletei used to have panic attacks and the idea of possibly being stuck in an elevator with just my nerve-wracking thoughts was terrible! i'm completely over it now, but i totally understand. i hope it goes well joanna! good luck!
ReplyDeletexoxo
This is awesome! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteha good luck! you and the elevator will both be fine :)
ReplyDeleteWatch out...they may be filming you while you're in the elevator...maybe you should take the stairs.
ReplyDeleteHahah, that's cute that you're more afraid of the elevator ride. Looking forward to catching you on TV, Joanna! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that made me laugh... You won't get stuck! But I understand stand your fear is legitimate. Be brave.
ReplyDeleteOh and good luck!
Just a Silhouette
Also, Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteNew Oxford American Dictionary says funnily is a word.
Just a Silhouette
We got stuck in an elevator on New Years Eve after a ball drop event in Northern Cal. We stuffed too many in an elevator in a parking garage....luckily only 3 stories high....and only about 15 minutes of being stuck. It was actually kind of fun getting to talk to the other passengers!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you on 20/20! Hang in. :)
good luck! Can't wait to see it
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I had the same phobia when I was a kid! It was baaaad. I'm talking tears and crouching in the corner. I slowly got over it...but my tummy still drops a bit when I get into a highrise elevator. Good luck today :)
ReplyDeleteDon't freak out, and just breathe!!!
ReplyDeletexx{ish.},
Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!
Look at the bright side! you must have lost more calories than the majority of your coworkers or apt mates by taking the stairs! ;) GOOD LUCK GIRL!
ReplyDeletehow fun! Don't freak. and good luck!
ReplyDeleteWoW! So exciting! Please be sure and post it here once you get a copy of the video!
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lovely picture! =)
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thanks for all these encouraging words!!! megan, that is so funny that you're scared of velvet! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you are so brave to talk about your phobia. We all have phobias, whether they are rational or not, but most of us are too embarrassed to speak of them.
ReplyDeleteLet me also take this opportunity to say how much I adore your blog, as it is both aspirational and practical.
Did someone say phobias out loud? LoL! That is very brave of you to be so open about this topic! Congrats on your TV piece and thanks for posting this - it's great motivation!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you didn't get stuck! Will have to remember to watch 20/20 on the 3rd.
ReplyDeleteway to face your fears, and congratulations on the interview!
ReplyDeleteon my last trip to NYC i got stuck with two friends in our hotel elevator for 45 minutes. luckily we'd just gotten felafel so we had supplies. unluckily, FDNY pried the door open for us between levels and i had to scramble down in a VERY short dress. good times to be sure. ;)
Way to go, Joanna!! You're my hero :) I will be watching the show for sure.
ReplyDeleteaw, thank you for these sweet comments!
ReplyDeleteoh how fun! (being on 20/20, not your elevator phobia) i'm marking it on my calendar now so i'll be sure to watch! i'll never forget my phonetics professor in college was stuck in the elevator from sunday afternoon until early monday morning when the cleaning crew came in and heard the alarm!!!!!!!!!! this was way before cell phones and the thought still makes my stomach turn.
ReplyDeletemaybe i shouldn't have shared. sorry.
Dang, I wanna be on 20/20 ... or Oprah, but that's probably not gonna happen ...
ReplyDelete20/20 ?!? That is going to be so neat! Can't wait to tune in and see one of my favorite bloggers!
ReplyDeletethis reminds me of seinfeld's bit about how the number two fear is death and the number one fear is public speaking...so that means that for most people, they'd rather be in the coffin at a funeral than giving the eulogy LOL.
ReplyDeleteI recently took flying lessons to get over my fear of flying. While it was terrifying and my stomach didn't do so well, the sense of power I felt from conquering the fear was well worth every second. I am now headed towards getting my pilot's license!! Now I use this as encouragement to get my loved ones to face their fears. "C'mon dude, I flew a plane . . ."
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm so proud of you! I completely understand. I'm deathly afraid of driving. Being 29 years old with no driver's license, especially living in LA, truly bites. But these fears, phobias, crazies ... whatever you want to call them ... are completely gripping.
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law has an elevator phobia and she wanted me to sing to her in elevator - so I made everyone sing Row Row Row your boat. Haha. We were 20 floors up in no time! xxoo
ReplyDeleteHoly crap Joanna! That is really awesome - I'll be sure to dvr it :)
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I'm totally scared of elevators too- especially when I have to ride in freight elevators. I'll be rooting for you, oh, and what works for me is standing in the middle of the elevator....
ReplyDeletexoxo
can't wait to see the show! i have an elevator phobia myself so i'm really interested to hear your thoughts/feelings about it. and don't think you sound like a loon, it's a legit fear! one of my life goals is to conquer it.
ReplyDeleteEEEEK!
ReplyDeletehehe you are just too adorable!! I used to have a fear of elevators too, I used to wait around until someone is going in before I would step in. Sometimes, it can take forever before you find someone who needs to use the elevator.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand...was petrified of escalators for a longtime. Finally have gotten over it....thanks to city living and super steep escalators @ the dc metro!
ReplyDeletehahahaha elevator phobia!!
ReplyDeletei actually have life phobia ;0
Were you stuck in an elevator with some weirdo at some point that started your phobia?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the show. I don't have a phobia but I'm definitely afraid of the dark. Especially when I'm walking the streets, I have an image of a man jumping out of the bushes. ;)
ReplyDeletedhila, you would think that i had some traumatic experience, but no! i've never been stuck! i have no idea where the fear came from :)
ReplyDeletei love all these sweet comments. cathi, that is SO cute that you sing to your sister in elevators. and carmen, i know exactly what you mean about waiting for someone else to join you in the elevator!!!
ReplyDeleteMy phobia is of infinity and the space/time continuum. Yikes.
ReplyDeletemy phobia is walking over subway grates! I am always afraid I am going to fall through!
ReplyDeleteWow, glad you made it. My phobia for YEARS has been chickens, after getting peck-attacked whilst a toddler. Ahem. We're working through that, I've got my minimum distance down to about 15 feet, and actually held a silky fraggle-chicken at a toddler's petting zoo.
ReplyDeleteAs far as elevator phobias go? Just never EVER go up the Rockefeller centre. Just don't.
Hi Joanna,
ReplyDeleteI felt a little wave of relief when I saw that you also have an elevator phobia. I didn't grow up with a fear of elevators (only of bugs and heights), but in the last year, I've developed quite a discomfort with elevators. If elevators doors take more than 1 second to open up, my heart starts to race and I begin having a mini panic attach. It makes me feel so ridiculous to feel that way, but all I can do is try to breathe through it.
There is one benefit to this phobia though: Taking the stairs four flights up to my office every day has helped my legs stay in great shape!
I look forward to watching the 20/20 episode. Congrats!
- Ava
This is definitely exciting to be on 20/20! O: congrats!
ReplyDeleteI have an escalator phobia, I avoid them at all possible moments and have panic attacks if I have to ride one, which is awful because they're everywhere ;W; it's amazing the kind of things that scare us
I'd be interested to know what causes the elevator phobia in the first place. Mine started in early childhood, the whole family would get on an elevator to visit my nana and I'd take the stairs.
ReplyDeleteNow I'll get on an elevator but I'm always ready to go into a crazy panic if anything goes wrong.
I have never met another person that is plagued by elevator phobia like me!! As long as I can remember elevators have REALLY creeper me out! It’s okay because all those years of taking the stairs have made me nice and skinny!
ReplyDeleteCheck me out here now! Tell me what you think. (And I will still be checking the comments here from time-to-time, too!).
ReplyDeleteWow, that's awesome, can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteJoanna, check out my friends' film called the Fears Project! http://thefearsproject.com/
xoxo
I'm from NYC and had to MOVE to LA because of my fear of elevators and subways. I love my car and I rarely have to confront an elevator. I can't imagine how you live in NYC with this? It was too much for me to take in my day to day life. I would miss job interviews and avoid parties! Move out to LA - you'll not have to deal with our phobia as much. It's really helped me - except for when I go home for visits!
ReplyDeleteMy phobia is wax figures and mannequins. I eat in a restaurant sometimes that has mannequins in the rafters and I hate it! I do try to face my fears from time to time, but I get nervous and itchy. I have no reason to be scared of these things and even though I tell myself this, it makes no difference.
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ReplyDeleteIt may be the phobia and or fear is some how related to your bodies ability to properly metabolize sugar. People who have a condition that can only be diagnosed by a Doctor known as Hypoglycemia. (Low blood sugar)
Left untreated, such people develop more and more phobias until finally they become agouraphobics and can not leave their homes. It is a real medical condition that can be treated.
Hypoglycemic's actually have real "Panic attacks"
For the most part elevators are safe. If you do get stuck in an elevator pick up the phone inside the elevator, push the alarm button call for help, but stay inside the elevator. Do not attempt to climb out.
Additionally support the elevator escalator safety foundation.
www.eesf.org
Robert L Krieger
With Seoul being such a vertical city (not much unlike NYC), my days here feel like a series of elevator rides. Wish I could see the show in this part of the world. Congrats!
ReplyDeletei totally understand!! i thought i was the only one. i have an elevator + metro fear for the last couple of years. I got stuck in an elevator at the airport with 7 handicapped people, for about 30 minutes. the firefighters had to come get us out. since then, i have a really hard time taking elevators, and I avoid metros which drives my friends crazy. especially hard when i am traveling. Try cognitive behavioral therapy, i heard it helps!
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