Mental block?

Hey all. I'm relatively new to climbing - been playing around in a gym for about 3 months now. I've found that I have a very strong mental block when I climb, especially boulder. I think it mostly stems from my fear of heights, which has definitely been limiting me. I find myself listening and responding to that fear (ask belayer to take/climb down or jump off bouldering wall) rather than pushing myself. In the broader context of things, I've always struggled to push myself past that point of comfort and into the unknown. Any advice (or motivational words) to help me work through this? Appreciate it.

A lot of people swear by this book, and the classes he offers:

amazon.com/The-Rock-Warrior…

Don't worry, you're not alone. I think few climbers truly get beyond some degree of hesitation in their climbing. If you're really psyched on climbing, I'd hop on Amazon and order two books: The Rock Warrior's Way and Vertical Mind. These books both get to similar conclusions, but one is rooted a bit more in spirituality, the other science (respectfully). I think they both are very helpful for different reasons. Ultimately, it's about slowly pushing your comfort level. Don't fret after three months!

FrankPS wrote:A lot of people swear by this book, and the classes he offers: amazon.com/The-Rock-Warrior…

evan h wrote:Don't worry, you're not alone. I think few climbers truly get beyond some degree of hesitation in their climbing. If you're really psyched on climbing, I'd hop on Amazon and order two books: The Rock Warrior's Way and Vertical Mind. These books both get to similar conclusions, but one is rooted a bit more in spirituality, the other science (respectfully). I think they both are very helpful for different reasons. Ultimately, it's about slowly pushing your comfort level. Don't fret after three months!

Some tips how to take bouldering falls
The Art of Falling

Kate,

Take your time, keep getting at it, and eventually you will find the comfort you seek. Climbing is super simple, beautiful and straight forward; but also very, very, very complex and mysterious at the same time. It takes time to become intimate with just like anything else.

Climb as much as possible, on as varied stone as possible (keep exploring new areas therefore your learning new stone and styles) and a byproduct of your experience will be comfort if you keep applying effort.

Seek an experienced partner also who can show you some safe practices and introduce you to new (and relatively safe) climbing experiences. Watching and learning from an experienced climber can also help you become more comfortable for multiple reasons.

Keep on keepin' on and it will all fall into place and your potential will be actualized!

Learn about rational vs irrational beliefs, and then start asking yourself "Even though I feel afraid, am I really in danger? Am I willing to 'do it' anyway, even though I feel afraid?"

In other words, look for ways to pinpoint what exactly you're afraid of in the moment and ask yourself whether or not that risk / danger is actually present at that moment.

I want to add to my last post: fear is fear, is fear, is fear. Once you KNOW fear you will come to know that all fear stems from one place inside you; become in-tune with fear by not worrying about it. Your very worry can some times enhance the fear so never worry about fear, just witness it, learn from it and about it. Fear can be a motivator and useful, also can keep you alert and alive and/or it can paralyze you. Through experience (get out there, as much as possible and with as many people as possible) you will find what you are looking for.

trust trust, doubt doubt. Watch a movie that scares you, at the scary moments witness your inner happening(s), then ask yourself where did the fear come from? Its the same place where your "fear of heights" comes from. Never stop exploring your inner and outer worlds, never stop questioning your habits!

The Stoned Master wrote:I want to add to my last post: fear is fear, is fear, is fear. Once you KNOW fear you will come to know that all fear stems from one place inside you; become in-tune with fear by not worrying about it. Your very worry can some times enhance the fear so never worry about fear, just witness it, learn from it and about it. Fear can be a motivator and useful, also can keep you alert and alive and/or it can paralyze you. Through experience (get out there, as much as possible and with as many people as possible) you will find what you are looking for. trust trust, doubt doubt. Watch a movie that scares you, at the scary moments witness your inner happening(s), then ask yourself where did the fear come from? Its the same place where your "fear of heights" comes from. Never stop exploring your inner and outer worlds, never stop questioning your habits!

Kate, I can't help you with bouldering since I hate the idea of rolling my ankles let alone breaking them, but I've been in your shoes in terms of fear of heights. I used not want to go up past 15' on a gym wall on a top rope even. What helped me was that after taking a few technique lessons and I found that being focused on the movement instead of looking up or down the route took my mind away from my irrational fear of heights. Concentrate on your footwork, look at the holds immediately in front of you instead of looking at the anchors or the next bolt - that should ease your whatever anxieties you have.