Why We Love Being Scared Halloween Thrills with a Self-Care Twist

Why We Love Being Scared

Halloween Thrills with a Self-Care Twist 

Halloween brings a unique blend of tradition and curiosity, making it one of the most enchanting holidays of the year. Rooted in ancient Celtic customs, Halloween began as a time to honor the changing season, ward off spirits, and embrace the mysteries of the unknown. Over time, these traditions evolved, merging folklore and fun, sparking curiosity about the supernatural and the thin veil between worlds. Today, Halloween fuels our collective imagination with costumes, haunted houses, and tales of ghosts and goblins. It’s a time when curiosity lets us step into the playful, whimsical and eerie, exploring fears and fantasies alike, reminding us of our innate desire to connect with mystery, history, and, of course, a bit of magic.

There’s something strange and wonderful about Halloween. It’s also a time when we eagerly dive into spooky stories, haunted houses, and eerie movies embracing the chills and thrills that would usually send us running. But have you ever wondered why we’re drawn to the spine-tingling side of Halloween? And, better yet, could facing our fears actually be… good for us?

Let’s explore why we love being scared, how it’s good for the soul, and, to set the mood, we’ll end with a ghost story perfect for some Halloween self-care by candlelight!

Facing Fear as Self-Care? Really? 

Yes, really! Here’s the thing about fear: it’s powerful. But when we engage with fear in a controlled, safe way like watching a scary movie, telling ghost stories, or going through a haunted house it helps us process real-life stressors more calmly. Think of it as a workout for your emotional resilience: just as your muscles get stronger from weight training, your mental and emotional “muscles” strengthen when you learn to face fear and still feel safe.

The Comfort in Being Spooked

The right kind of fear actually grounds us, bringing us back to our own courage. Watching a scary movie or reading a spooky story allows us to confront fear while also knowing we’re okay, which helps build a sense of self-trust. It’s almost like a form of mindfulness drawing us into the present moment. And afterward? That sense of relief when you know the ghost or monster was just pretend can be cathartic.

Spooky Stories = Self-Connection

Fear is often a shared experience holding hands through a jump scare or leaning close as you tell ghost stories. This kind of bonding, especially on Halloween, helps us feel more connected. In those shared, goosebump-filled moments, we feel united in the experience, and that’s a powerful act of self-care and community.

Now For Your Ghost Story Eww Ewwie,

The Haunting of Overpond House

In a quaint town, nestled between old Revolutionary War and Civil War grounds, a family built their dream home: a brand new, two-story house with a stone exterior on four acres of woodlands. The land, once a revolutionary war camp, held a rich and violent history, and while the family brushed off the tales as nothing more than local lore they would soon start to experience some very strange happenings.

Late one evening, as the family was settling in for the night, a glimpse of a woman dressed in colonial finery made a visit to one of the family members. Standing outside a bedroom the womens eyes were sorrowful and her attire of an earlier time. Frozen in place, this family member watched as the woman paused and just as quickly, she vanished, leaving a cold chill in the air.

The next morning, the family dismissed this story as a trick of the mind until they began to hear a woman's voice echoing throughout the house. Accompanying this woman was the sighting by multiple family members of a uniformed soldier wearing a battle wounded face. One visitor sighted seeing only a pair of disembodied legs cross the front landing of the home. Footsteps along the stairs were regular with the visits. 

Soon a general creepiness took over the home as things regularly moved on their own and startling thumps intruded as though a cannonball was landing right smack in the middle of the house, along with the home security alarm falsely triggering at times in the earlier mornings. 

The family has since moved on only to confirm after the fact that indeed their home was built on Revolutionary War Camp Grounds. To this day, if you pass by this home on a quiet night, you may see the woman in her finest colonial gown, gazing out the window, waiting. The soldier may still patrol the halls, loyal to a duty long past, and the sound of lone footsteps without a body  echoing softly, wandering through the house, endlessly searching for peace.

So, this Halloween, embrace the goosebumps and the ghost stories. It's a fun, spooky way to practice courage. Remember, fear can be a powerful tool for self-care when we approach it mindfully and safely. So light a candle, share a scary story with some friends, and let yourself feel the thrill of the unknown, knowing you’re in complete control. 🎃

XO Happy Fun Halloween

Donna