kay
Well-known member
mikem said:Or D: a lot of cavers don't actually read / post on the forum.
Given that this topic is still on its first page whereas some topics rapidly go to three or more, that can't be the only explanation
mikem said:Or D: a lot of cavers don't actually read / post on the forum.
isn?t that confusing a general lack of self confidence, meaning that you?re unlikely to post here, with a lack of confidence in one specific area of caving, which is unrelated to lack of confidence generally?cavemanmike said:Also if you have confidence issues you are less likely to comment on the forum, so it's actually big of Keris82 to open up a discussion about it
PeteHall said:Rather than rushing straight through, I started to stop half way and look around. Simple as it sounds, this really helped me.
trouble is a) it?s pretty recent that women?s cycles were a reason not to employ women (alongside the whole pregnancy thing), so I feel worried when I hear talk of accommodation in the workplace. Our situation doesn?t feel quite secure enough to be asking for special accommodations. But I know I?m a product of the time I was brought up in, so I?m probably wrongKeris82 said:Thank you cavemanmike and pwhole for your understanding It is a shame that women's natural cycles are still taboo and we shouldn't feel afraid to talk about it. I find it does really affect my mood and confidence.i don't think my other half really gets it and so isn't very sympathetic when I don't feel comfortable doing something. It can be quite frustrating when I know I've done it before but on that particular day it's a problem.
PeteHall said:I was wholeheartedly in the scared of water camp until fairly recently (maybe 5 years ago). I gained confidence in Swildon's sump 1. Rather than rushing straight through, I started to stop half way and look around. Simple as it sounds, this really helped me. Regular easy exposure to my fear, took the edge off it. I'm now a fairly confident free-diver and a member of the CDG, but last time I went to Yorkshire, I bottled Pipikin Pot at the first squeeze, having done it without issue dozens of times before...
That's pretty much the reason that women weren't employed a long time beforehand (until the world wars intervened & there weren't enough men left to fill vacancies). Unfortunately there still aren't enough jobs to employ everyone who wants to work (but now we are replacing them with computers & automated systems).kay said:trouble is a) it?s pretty recent that women?s cycles were a reason not to employ women (alongside the whole pregnancy thing), so I feel worried when I hear talk of accommodation in the workplace. Our situation doesn?t feel quite secure enough to be asking for special accommodations. But I know I?m a product of the time I was brought up in, so I?m probably wrong
ttxela2 said:PeteHall said:I was wholeheartedly in the scared of water camp until fairly recently (maybe 5 years ago). I gained confidence in Swildon's sump 1. Rather than rushing straight through, I started to stop half way and look around. Simple as it sounds, this really helped me. Regular easy exposure to my fear, took the edge off it. I'm now a fairly confident free-diver and a member of the CDG, but last time I went to Yorkshire, I bottled Pipikin Pot at the first squeeze, having done it without issue dozens of times before...
Yep, never doing a sump, don't want to, can't make me.... :ras:
Didn't learn to swim until my late teens, apparently during pregnancy my mother had daily nightmares about drowning, this may be an explanation? Happy enough these days in a swimming pool but not putting my head under water, oh no, not never ever!
Had various points in my life when I have made determined attempts to 'get over it' with and without the assistance of well meaning friends. Now comfortably resigned to the fact it is not for me. I'm relatively happy wading in deep water but if I can't stand up and breathe I'm out!
Maddoghouse said:Regarding the free climbing and traverses, one thing we did with my uni club was go to local bouldering wall regularly. Once you've made it to the top of the boulder problem, we'd try to climb back down rather than just jumping it..! Think this not only helped with technique but also got people use to the sensation of "showing gravity who's the boss" if you get my jist
One thing that helped me a lot to gain confidence clambering over often slippery boulders (Ie the entrance of OFD II) was trail running/jogging over uneven ground. Defo helped me learn what I can/can't put my foot. Granted the have been more than a few times where I've fallen on my arse but better to learnt that way above ground rather than below it...
Finally, don't forget to say well done to yourself, and others for that matter, after the tough bits! Caving is not a competive sport and, despite what we may say in the pub afterwards, is a fun way to spend a Sunday! As has been alluded to, what some find hard, others find easy etc so from my experience an acknowledgement and tap on the back goes a long way in a cave!