When the Click Happened: A Story of Fear, Presence, and Connection

For most of my life, I was afraid of dogs. A bark would make my body tense. I once climbed onto a cupboard to avoid a puppy.

Then I met Joey, a quiet, gentle dog who didn’t bark or jump. He simply watched from a distance. His presence didn’t erase my fear, but it allowed me to stay a little longer than usual.

As I observed him, I noticed more.

Joey seemed to understand boundaries he never rushed toward me. I saw him in everyday moments with his family: excited at the sight of ice cream, ashamed after getting sick, and sad when another dog hurt him. He had feelings. He wasn’t just an animal to be feared; he was a being to be understood.

That was the turning point.

I chose to stay present, even when every part of me wanted to leave.

 I practised deep breathing not just as a technique, but as a signal of safety to my body.

 I reminded myself that my friend was nearby and I could trust her support.

 I reframed Joey, not as a threat, but as an emotional presence.

 And I used empathy, something I often offer to my clients, now for myself.

Eventually, I reached out and touched his fur.

He wagged his tail. And I smiled.

The fear didn’t vanish overnight. But it softened because I stayed long enough for trust to grow.

This was one of the earliest moments that sparked the idea for my series, “When the Click Happened.”

Moments where something small shifts inside you.

Moments that don’t look big from the outside, but feel like everything changed.

Moments that take root in presence, patience, and compassion.

What’s a fear you’ve overcome, and what helped you through it?

 I’d love to hear your story. Sometimes, sharing is where the healing begins.