Technially, spirtophobia is simply the “fear of matches or match books” (yes, there is apparently a word for this). But it’s the closest way to describe a phobia I’ve had since a child and what let me be featured on today’s Arkansas Women Bloggers Wordless Wednesday post. As a point of explanation, Wordless Wednesdays are blog posts posted on Wednesdays (obviously) that are just pictures, no words. The month of October features the theme Phobias over at ARWB so each guest blogger is writing around that topic.
I decided it would be fun to explain my story and how it came true!
Check out the full collage of photos I made for Arkansas Women Bloggers but here is a sampling:
OK, so a few notes about the above picture. Note that the head of the match is already black, meaning it already burned. Also notice that the flame has left the head and is traveling down the stick. Arggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!
The story behind the story
So here is why this kind of thing has always freaked me out. When I was a kid (no idea how old, but obviously old enough to use a match with limited supervision), I struck a match to light a candle then set the burned out match down on the doilie that was under the candle. I was instructed to not set down burned out matches on the doilies or on paper because the heat from it could light the flammable material or the entire match could catch a breeze and relight somehow.
Not logical, right? Since then I’ve been a little freaked out about using matches. It doesn’t help that I’ve had to cover news stories where a fire was started in a trash can because someone threw away a match that hadn’t cooled. I mean it has to be true, right?
So anyways, the other day when I was lighting matches (gulp!) to get photos for my Wordless Wednesday post at ARWB I couldn’t believe what happened. I went outside to get the photos because of the better lighting. There was a slight breeze so I had a bit of trouble with the matches blowing out before I could get a shot. So, I put a match out of the wind then brought it up when I had snapped the photo.
Then it happened. The breeze caught the match and it relit! Not only did it relight, but it didn’t stop at the head. It kept burning down the stick until I freaked out and shook it until it went out. I was getting ready to throw it in the dog’s water bowl!
Whew. That was a close one. I think I’ll continue using cigarette lighters (no, I don’t smoke) and fireplace lighters for all fires I feel the need to start.
You are funny! I don’t think I have any phobias… I mean, I won’t stand way up high on a cliff with the wind blowing, but I think that’s mostly just a self-preservation tactic, not a FEAR, per se. Same thing goes for those crazy suits that let people “fly” through the Swiss Alps at 80+ miles per hour. Just not interested in smashing my face into a mountain. 🙂
Yes, there’s a big difference between phobias and healthy self-preservation 🙂 I WILL light a match, I just hate it. It’s dangerous, man LOL
I have always been a safety gal when it comes to all things fire. I enjoyed your story and did not know there is a name for the fear of lit or lighting matches. Lol
ever since from childhood till now, whenever I see match sticks or when it lits, I get irritated with the smell and when i see it. Always i used to wonder whats wrong with that, why i feel like that . it’s looks silly to others but i have serious problem with this weird phobia. After reading this blog i got to know it’s a phobia . thanks for sharing this. Is there any way to get rid off from this phobias? it’s sucks!!
I am not afraid of matches, I am just so disgusted by them (especially burnt ones); and I wish I can know why!
If in emergency situations I had to light matches, I would wash my hands thoroughly afterwards. Ughhhh.
Oh I thought I am the only one, I also act like same as you my husband got irritated by my behaviour but he bare with me i don’t know what to do I also told others to washed their hands after lighting match stick
Huh!I thought I was the only one who fears matches😂 let’s use cigarette lighter to start any fire. matchsticks actually leave places messy,,untidy..I fear matchsticks