I’ve had a fear of elevators for as long as I can remember.
When I was younger my family would have to create a barricade around me when we entered an elevator so the other riders wouldn’t get too close to me. As I’ve gotten older, I can manage the fear a little better. I know now not to enter an elevator if it’s crowded. If it starts filling up too quickly, I will get out of the elevator and wait for a new one. If I’m not on the 34th floor, I’ll just take the stairs. I also have an irrational fear that the elevator will just stop, for no reason, and I’ll be stuck on there with 15 strangers for 3 days.
Now many of you will say, “Rachel, that is claustrophobia.” And you’re right, I am claustrophobic. But I know me, and I know this fear runs deeper. My life long fear of getting stuck in an elevator can all be attributed to a 7 minute episode of the Animaniacs that aired on the WB when I was like, 8. You suck Animaniacs… you suck.
