My Heart Pounds As the Phone Rings

United States
October 8, 2009 10:59am CST
This past week, I had an incident come up with my job. While off from my position working as an independent contracter for a company, one of the workers from the company phoned me at home. The phone call startled me. My heart began to pound. I was expecting a fight. I had previously told the company owner I would no longer be available to work for him on Wednesdays. We had left that conversation on Monday with the understanding that he was to call me later Monday if he did indeed have any previously set appointments set for Wednesday. Yet, at the end of the day on Monday no messages had been left on my landline. Nor did Tuesday present a voicemail. Wednesday morning arrived and my chest was arroused by the alarming sound of the telephone ringing. I have to admit, I was afraid to pick it up. Surely, if I did a fight would ensue. Letting the answering machine take it, I wondered if I had done the right thing. It is never fair to ask someone to work at the last minute, especially when an understanding was previously arranged. Instead, worry arrested my thinking. Now it seems as though whenever the phone rings, it causes jumpiness within and a tightness constricts my chest. Perhaps it seems silly, but somehow when the phone rings I am expecting bad news, or as they say, waiting for the shoe to drop. This strange vexation of negative expectation, is it self-propecy? Or did I just know that there was a conflict awaiting on the other end of the line? That conflict did arise to meet me soon enough, but enough about that for now. Perhaps I will share that later. For now I must know about you and your experiences with this enemy of the calm. Have you also experienced this type of anxiety and turmoil in your soul?
3 people like this
5 responses
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
12 Oct 09
I used to get anxious when the phone rang, not knowing who was on the other line and knowing I had to answer the phone no matter what, because at the time I had 3 kids in school and always would answer just in case they were sick at school or something was wrong. I finally got caller ID and it is so much better knowing who is calling,if I don't want to take a call, I leave it to voice mail and I can get back to whoever it is when I'm in the mood or frame of mind to talk to them.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Oct 09
I am not an expert but I think that sometimes we become anxious for a specific reason like you had when the phone rang but we continue to hold onto the anxiety for other reasons. I suspect that this is not unusual and it has happened to me before. There are relaxation techniques that you could use or medications. I would see my doctor for advice. There are CDs with good meditation techniques and they may help. Good luck with it.
@joygracia (1325)
• Philippines
8 Oct 09
Don`t be to harsh on yourself. I had my experiences like that but I make it a point or I always put in my mind that although I failed on some things and it caused a lot of anxiety in me, I make it a point to think on the bright side that I as a human being do commit mistakes. That lessens up my anxiety and I tend to distract myself at some point like doing fun stuff like I usually do in spite all the anxiety craving in me. Maybe at some point put myself in denial just to calm myself at times but it kinda work with me though. Its really tough being in an anxious situation but its even tougher prolonging yourself with such agony. Happy thoughts won`t affect to much of that situation I guess! Just be happy and live life happily. Take care!
@hexeduser22 (7253)
• Philippines
8 Oct 09
It's the same feeling when your cheating in an exam. Afraid to get caught and your heart is pounding like a large bell. I hate that feeling, it seems you're expecting something bad would befall you
10 Oct 09
I have huni, you are not alone in this. it is pyschological, a fear builds within, and it can set off a panic attack, it is all down to stress, and can be very debilitating. I developed an ittational fear of something, a while back now, because of something that happened, and i swear, i thought i was going nuts. It was ruining my life. I also have a *thing* about the phone ringing, invariably, i do not answer it, i cannot explain why this is. You need to seek a doctors advice, and get some calming medication, you are certainly not alone, with your feelings. Good luck to you, stay calm...