There was a really ugly and intimidating looking grasshopper lurking around my sweet basil plant for about the past two days.

This ugly fella felt like an intruder and I could feel the tension in my body mounting every time I laid eyes on it.

He was getting into my space and making me feel really uncomfortable.

I didn’t know what to do because I felt scared to confront it, yet at the same time I felt ill-at-ease that he was hanging out in an area that I would normally associate with rest and relaxation.

Although he was just being himself, he had unwittingly invaded my territory and was making me feel really on edge – I have a rattan chair set up right next to my rack of sweet basil plants where I sometimes sit at to decompress and process thoughts and feelings.

This space no longer felt safe with the gigantic grasshopper lurking within 3 feet of where the chair was.

I like resting here sometimes with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and gazing out into the trees beyond my “porch” to unwind and relax.

I tried pouring cold water (literally) over Mr Grasshopper when I watered sweet basil, but he didn’t budge! He was just like a statue – immovable, and didn’t balk even while the water was streaming all over him. 😳

Damn you Mr Grasshopper!!! Can’t you take a hint?

😓😓😓

So anyways, today he was still at the same spot. So basically he’s been invading my space for the past 40 hrs. No funny, don’t laugh. 😐

With some encouragement from a friend I had confided in, I plucked up enough courage to grab a utensil – an overgrown “Yogurtland” spoon (about 30cm long) that I had brought back from my escapades in the Yogurtland branches of Los Angeles, with a mind to push the fella away.

And so, as you can see from the above video, I managed to face my fear of insects and push him away. But it was not easy and it felt unpleasant. Very unpleasant.

After taking a mild break from this perceived near altercation. (I was afraid that he would jump into my face) I decided to get rid of him for good so he wouldn’t situate himself anywhere near sweet basil 🌿 again.

So I grabbed a broomstick and pushed him downstream.

I had to do this a few times.

So now I have reclaimed my space and I feel much better. *aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh*

Long story short, I’m glad that I faced up to Mr Grasshopper. He didn’t even move when I pushed him away with a broom. And I was so afraid 😱 that he might jump on me, which is why I used a long broom to put some space between us.

Facing Your Fears

Facing up to your fears can sometimes feel really overwhelming and intimidating, but when you do decide to put on your courage and address the issue, you demonstrate to yourself that you’re capable and bigger than the thing that has grown to such large proportions in your mind.

Something changes in your brain and body after you take a step of faith. No matter how small.

In the end Mr Grasshopper didn’t even put up a fight 😅😅😅.

Thank you Mr Grasshopper and you’re welcome, I bet you enjoyed your stay with sweet basil.

I thought to share this story with you, my dear reader, because maybe you might have a similar fear that has been making you feel abit helpless and overwhelmed; to move on with your life.

If you are having trouble addressing your fear or confronting a difficult issue, I hope you think about my encounter with Mr Grasshopper and as the Nike slogan goes, just do it! 😊