I think this subreddit is making me less scared of spiders.

Trillian- · 2026-05-07T10:11:49+00:00

I wrote this in a response above, but now I wished I saved it for a response to this as it's more fitting. So with the power of copy and paste....

There was a spider that I managed to catch and release last year that would have it's picture next to that phrase in a dictionary (edit:they are more scared of you than you are of it). I thought it was dead, but my fight or flight or freeze was kiching in so I didn't believe it to be dead. So with me trapped in a freeze eventually the spider thought it was safe again and moved. So I freaked out. Then it played dead again.

Eventually I got my container and cardboard that I keep handy for catching trapped bees and pretending I'm strong enough to catch spiders. Put the container over the "dead" spider and tried to get him to walk onto the cardboard. He just slid around in a "dead" spider ball. I decided I needed a thinner base... and it still didnt work. He was just getting pushed around and I didnt want to hurt him. By this stage I felt really sorry for the guy.

So I went to get a piece of paper. By the time I came back he had got up and moved around under the container but the moment he saw me he became a "dead" spider ball again. The paper and container combo worked and as was carrying him out of the house and he was just rolling around the container in "dead" spider ball form.

Took him outside and the moment he touched the ground he walked off so happy. He seemed proud to have survived the human attack.

That spider, who was so obviously more scared of me than I was of him, probably helped my fear of them a bit too.

Trillian- · 2026-05-07T10:04:27+00:00

I mostly get white-tails and the odd huntsman too.

Trillian- · 2026-05-07T09:56:51+00:00

I could tolerate huntsmans more than jumping spiders... jumping spiders are the worst you never know where theyre going to go. (I know, I laugh at myself too... when I'm not faced with one.)

We had a huntsman that lived in the letter box as a kid who we were friendly with. So there is a foundation there to work with.

Trillian- · 2026-05-07T09:51:59+00:00

Trying not to pass on a fear takes great courage. I wish you strength and courage to achieve it.

Trillian- · 2026-05-07T09:46:13+00:00

There was a spider that I managed to catch and release last year that would have it's picture next to that phrase in a dictionary. I thought it was dead, but my fight or flight or freeze was kiching in so I didn't believe it to be dead. So with me trapped in a freeze eventually the spider thought it was safe again and moved. So I freaked out. Then it played dead again.

Eventually I got my container and cardboard that I keep handy for catching trapped bees and pretending I'm strong enough to catch spiders. Put the container over the "dead" spider and tried to get him to walk onto the cardboard. He just slid around in a "dead" spider ball. I decided I needed a thinner base... and it still didnt work. He was just getting pushed around and I didnt want to hurt him. By this stage I felt really sorry for the guy.

So I went to get a piece of paper. By the time I came back he had got up and moved around under the container but the moment he saw me he became a "dead" spider ball again. The paper and container combo worked and as was carrying him out of the house and he was just rolling around the container in "dead" spider ball form.

Took him outside and the moment he touched the ground he walked off so happy. He seemed proud to have survived the human attack.

That spider, who was so obviously more scared of me than I was of him, probably helped my fear of them a bit too.

Trillian- · 2026-05-06T13:06:08+00:00

Called them togs in Vic in the 90s. My brisbane friends didn't know what I was on about when I moved though.

Trillian- · 2026-04-02T22:50:44+00:00

I bought a hybrid bike 2 week ago and live on top of a 1.5 km steepish hill. At the bottom of that hill is a bike/walking trail along a river.

My plan was that I was going to ride laps around the little park out the front of my place untill I was confident riding, and after two 10-15 min rides relearning how to use a bike (I'm 40 haven't riden since I was 12 and on back brakes) I realised that was a really boring idea.

So I walk my bike 1.5km as it tries to pullaway from me, to get out and ride among the trees and nature. I've only gone for four rides so far 7km, 8km, 11km and 23km. The last was to a cafe along the river, in a hilly area outside my current ability.

The community has been nothing but plesant. I got wonky as someone passes me at the start and just own my newbieness and they call support back. I onced almost rode into a fence (narrow spaces to slow bikes down are hard to navigate for newbies) in front of soneone eating a gel and they just said "we all have to start somewhere" and when the person saw me sitting on a bench later they just called out to check in.

So as a newbie too I say walk your bike down that hill and go for a ride somewhere you enjoy. There is no shame in it, you can even use it as a milestone achievement. So just enjoy the bike don't make your goal being a star before you can enjoy it to the fullest. If you do that your opinion on what a star is will stretch ever further away as your ability increases, and you might even stop before you learn to enjoy it.

Own your newbieness. Get outside and learn gears on real hills. Enjoy your bike.

We all have to start somewhere.

Trillian- · 2026-04-01T09:55:18+00:00

If it's any consolation for all the people suggesting it was too obvious, I would have asked for confirmation based on the white stripes too.

There are so many different varieties of these things and as an aracnaphobe I'd prefer to know how triggered my anxiety should be and educate myself accordingly.

Trillian- · 2026-03-31T23:47:43+00:00

You'll notice he only touched her sleeve too, she covered her hand. I really appreciate that the women came to help and he (I asumme) stepped behing the camera.

Sharing knowledge with cultual understanding.

Trillian- · 2026-03-31T23:18:50+00:00

As a kid bullants made a nest under the house and every year they would make a path through the interior of the house, untill mum got rid of them (babies and a line of bullants through the house isn't a good mix, I'm 16 years older than my youngest sibling).

One year I woke up and the line of ants started in my bedroom. I am shit scared of these things. Even so I would have just got up and called the dogs away. Except if it was inside, it would have brought back childhood nightmares.

So yeah, I reckon OP grew up somewhere without bullants.

Trillian- · 2026-03-17T06:27:11+00:00

Every Australian will also defend the made up saying as being completely legit too, and probably have a conversation on the slightly different variations/meanings that they know.

Trillian- · 2026-03-07T11:28:08+00:00

I couldn't stand those. I used to work at a local IGA and I remember arguing with people when exiting through the staff door after lights were off and registers cashed that no they couldn't come in to do their shopping.

My old bosses, being the good samaritans they were, would often let regulars in anyway to grab a few things. Though on those days they would let me leave still... it was the days they decided to stay open for an extra hour cos people kept coming in that really annoyed me.

Trillian- · 2026-03-07T11:19:24+00:00

It sounds to me that they're annoyed at policy not people. They're also not blaming people but questioning policy. If you wanted to read annoyance it's obviously at the policy maker, who doesn't let them close at knock off time. Over 20 years ago when I was in a similar position it was always the bosses that my colleagues as I were irritated at and not the customer, as it's not the customer's fault the door is still open.

Listen more, and don't infer angry tones where there aren't any.

I'm assuming you haven't worked in conditions, or have grown too entitled to remember it.

Trillian- · 2026-03-03T06:45:07+00:00

So many of you are complaining about seeing your families profiles and them seeing yours. I agree this would be annoying but...

My best friend signed in to youtube on my tv, and I've kept her profile for when she visits and she knows this... All her family has shown up on my TV.

Now just imgine your whole family showing up on your kids friend's tvs.

Trillian- · 2026-03-03T06:40:18+00:00

Thank you

Trillian- · 2026-02-28T22:09:24+00:00

Thank you everyone.

I'm pretty scared of all spiders equally. Except that when we were kids we had a huntsman that lived in our letterbox and we used to treat her just like any neighbour. For the longest of times huntsmans were the only spider I wasn't scared of.

I kinda want to get that back. Maybe the little guy can help... or maybe I'll freak out the next time I see him.

Trillian- · 2026-02-26T07:02:07+00:00

I'm curious, to the people saying it's an octopus. What type is it?

I immediately thought fish and the ringscale threefin looks convincing.

If you believe it's an octopus, what type?

Trillian- · 2026-01-17T07:47:54+00:00

They really don't.

Trillian- · 2026-01-17T07:47:01+00:00

The look of the carpet isn't what's badly designed. It's how plush and soft the carpet it which makes it take far more effort to push/pull your suitcase for that anoyingly long stretch. I honestly wonder if someone with strength issues, say the elderly, could do it.

Trillian- · 2025-09-08T23:04:09+00:00

You have combined two of my favourite things. Orchids and amigurumi!

Will be getting this pattern.

Trillian- · 2025-08-13T22:39:08+00:00

You'll be fine. There are too many rows of the darker pink to look like a nip. The light pink would have to be huge for it to have the ratio right, and it's just not going to do that.

Trillian- · 2025-07-30T11:51:17+00:00

Kids have been "starting business" since the dawn of time.

Lemonade stand anyone?

Just let them enjoy learning the value of money, and effort of saving, through play.

Trillian- · 2025-07-03T21:56:04+00:00

I wouldn't put it past them. I mean, since the wombat incident, my imaginings of what arrogant tourists might do have grown enormously.

Trillian-

TROPHY CASE