A lot of fears on this Friday the 13th. Some fears are based on reality and are the result of our difficult times. Quite a few others drifted out of the dark side and are based on superstition. For ages, Friday falling on the 13th day of the calendar has been considered unlucky. The origin of the superstition in Western Culture is kind of murky, but no matter, each generation passes it down to the next.
There are ways to calm the anxiety and all that fretting about black cats, broken mirrors, walking on cracks or under ladders, and so on. Also, a real serious fear of Friday the 13th does exist, and it’s called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Spending time trying to pronounce that phobia would probably take your mind off your fear for at least a minute or two.
Meanwhile, you could try to rein in those Friday the 13th nerves with other activities like listening to music, exercising, meditation or perhaps doing a little coloring. What? That’s right, it’s not just for kids anymore. Now Adults are coloring to cut down on stress and anxiety. So it’s probably no coincidence, the Burbank Central Library is offering a “Color Me Calm” session this afternoon. According to the library’s website ,”Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala.” Supplies are provided. More details, along with time and location, here.
Oh , and some good news. This is the last Friday the 13th of 2023.