Fear and Freedom: Lessons from a Day at the Slide Park

Journey, my six-year-old granddaughter, gripped my hand tightly as we walked into the slide park. She had been excited all week, eagerly pointing at pictures online. She talked about which slide she wanted to try first. But now, standing at the entrance and staring up at the towering maze of colors and twists, her fingers squeezed mine a little harder.

“Wow,” she whispered.

Testing the Waters

She didn’t move toward the slides right away. Instead, Journey made her way to the little kids' area. It featured a playground-style slide and a climbing web. This was her way of testing the waters. She needed to ensure she could trust herself before taking on something bigger.

Then, the moment came. She grabbed a mat and picked the yellow slide—the one that seemed the least intimidating. I watched her climb the stairs, each step slower than the last. When she reached the top, she froze.

From below, I could see her tiny hands gripping the railing. Her eyes scanned the long, steep slide ahead of her. Then, she turned and looked for me. Even from a distance, I could see the fear written all over her face.

“I want to go back down,” she called out, her voice small.

Other kids brushed past her, some barely stopping before launching themselves down the slide. They filled the air with laughter and excited squeals. Journey pressed herself against the railing, unsure of what to do. I didn’t push; instead, we waited.

Encouragement from a Peer

Then, something happened. A little girl, about Journey’s age, stopped beside her at the top. “It’s really fun,” she said with a grin. “You should try it!”

Journey didn’t respond right away, but I saw something shift. She watched another child go down—then another. Suddenly, she wasn’t gripping the railing as tightly.

She sat down on her mat. She grabbed the handles and took a deep breath. And then—she let go.

For a split second, there was silence. Then—laughter erupted. It was the kind that bubbles up when joy overpowers fear.

When she reached the bottom, she jumped up, her face beaming. “That was awesome!” she shouted. Just like that, the fear that had gripped her moments before vanished.

The Thrill of Overcoming Fear

For the rest of the afternoon, she didn't just go down that one slide. She went down every single slide in the park—at least 40 times.

As I watched Journey race up the stairs and launch herself down slide after slide, I realized something. Fear only lasts until we do the thing that scares us.

At the top of that yellow slide, she had every reason to turn back. It was high, it was fast, and it was unknown. But when she saw someone else do it, and allowed herself to believe she could, everything changed.

Reflecting on Our Own Fears

How often do we stand at the top of our own “yellow slide” in life—hesitant, gripped by fear, and tempted to turn back? Whether it’s changing careers, setting boundaries, or stepping into something unfamiliar, we feel fear first. Like Journey, we often need to warm up, observe, or hear a little encouragement before we take the leap.

But once we do, that’s where freedom is.

Journey walked into the slide park unsure and afraid. She left fearless—not because the slides got smaller, but because she got braver. That’s the power of doing hard things.

Finding Your Yellow Slide

Just like Journey, each of us faces our own unique challenges. Finding our “yellow slide” means identifying our fears and deciding to face them. Perhaps it's starting a new hobby or giving a presentation at work. Whatever it may be, taking that first step can lead to newfound confidence and joy.

There’s a certain magic in overcoming the fears that hold us back. We learn that we're capable of more than we think. So the next time you find yourself at a crossroads, remember Journey's experience and ask yourself: "What can I do to take that leap?"

By understanding our fears and taking action, we can transform uncertainty into adventure. Just like a day at the slide park, life is full of ups and downs—all it takes is courage to ride the wave.