Don’t Let Your Fear of the Dark Ruin Your Camping Trip
“Camping” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Saipan_Jack
Do you like escaping the hustle and bustle of the city? Do you want to go back to nature, unplug your phone and de-stress? If your answer is ‘yes’, then camping could be the solution for you. It’s a good way to unwind and get a few moments away from modern influences. Your phone won’t miss you that much anyway.
If this is what you need right now, then what’s holding you back? Could it be that you suffer from a fear of the dark? If the absence of light magnifies your fears and makes you feel claustrophobic, I have some solutions. Below is a list of tips to make darkness bearable because no one should miss out on camping.
Use Fairy Lights
Not only are they pretty, but these lights help to illuminate the tent. They can also be used to make the place feel like your own with your favorite colors lighting up the place, or your initials displayed on one of the walls of the tent. Make sure they’re battery-powered ones though as there is going to be no power sockets to plug your lights in the wilderness!
Pro tip: Place them in a mason jar for a more illuminating effect.
Make a Campfire
A campfire is not only great fun but leaving the embers lit helps to keep you warm, as well as provide a source of light, while keeping the bugs away.
Building a campfire is pretty easy as well. All you’ll need is dry wood and matches. Place a few of the sticks and smaller pieces of wood in a pile first and then light a match or two to them, lightly blowing on the wood. Hopefully, this will set them ablaze. Gradually add wood to the flame till it reaches the right height.
Have a Comfort Item
Comfort items are not only for children and infants; adults too need to feel safe and kept grounded. There’s no shame in admitting having fears: “As part of normal life, many of us may feel uncomfortable or fearful at times,” the British Psychological Society argue. Keeping a woolly blanket or a soft toy close at all time will help you get through the night. Some people argue that this is merely due to a placebo effect but it works. If something works, it works.
Go with Friends
Good friends will always make fun things more fun. If they know you have a fear of the dark they might initially laugh at you, because that’s what true friends do, but they’ll help you out. Someone being there for you when it gets overwhelming is pretty much a necessity. Plus, they’ll know exactly how to distract you as they know what works for you.
Avoid Scary Stories
Only a fool with a fear of the dark would want to tell and listen to ghost stories before they go to sleep. And it would be smart to avoid this kind of stories for up to a week before leaving for the camping trip. You might forget about the scary tale your friend regaled you with but when you’re in the dark, it’ll all come flashing back and that’s not fun.
Camping in itself can be daunting. You’re straying away from the usual and putting yourself out there in the wilderness. You may feel vulnerable and that’s okay. Camping is such an amazing experience… One that your fear should not rob away from you.
these are some great tips!