The Eiffel Tower Cured My Fear of Heights

I’ve always wanted to see Paris, including the Eiffel Tower or “Le Tour Eiffel,” as they call it in French.

There is so much to see and experience in Paris. The city has an incredible buzz to it, but as a writer I can see through the hum drum on what’s beneath.

The rich history, and culture. The talent of people shone through the many museums and arts buildings. I could feel the pride in people just for being French.

France is a beautiful country, and so clean compared to what I know as “normal.”

I wanted to see Paris from the Eiffel Tower, but I never expected it to be as tall as it was. My fear of heights did a number on my stomach when I laid eyes on it for the first time.

We’d just got off the Trocadero Metro Subway and walked up the steps to a stone vista overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It was magnificent and our jaws dropped as we stared at it — even my kids stood still to take it in.

The iconic Paris attraction stood like a four-footed wrought iron giant in its full glory. A beautiful early morning sun streamed through the latticed structure.

It was stunning.

I took a deep breath, but for once in my life, I had no words to describe what I saw. I just needed to experience the moment for my head to comprehend its beauty.

The Eiffel Tower was much taller than I had expected. We walked down many stone steps and continued downhill through a park. Flowers were abundant in every color. They clearly watered them in the heat.

The closer we got to the Eiffel Tower, the more my heart was beating inside my chest. It seemed to grow bigger with every step.

Before we joined the line to walk up the tower, we stood right under it and looked up. It was so high I had to crick my neck just to get the angle right. All that latticed metal went on for what seemed like miles and it made me dizzy.

My head said: “I can’t do it. It’s too high.”

I swallowed.

“Don’t worry Lizzy. You’ll be fine once you start climbing. Remember step by step.” My husband, always upbeat.

Our kids ran to the entrance. We showed our e-tickets and got our bags x-rayed through security. Then a guard showed us to the stairs.

My kids ran ahead, climbing them gingerly with a; “c’mon mommy and daddy!”

My husband followed the kids up the steps that wound through one of the Tower legs.

I needed a second to gather myself.

I swallowed.

One step at a time. You can do it, Lizzy. I kept repeating myself.

I put my foot on the first step. It was the same metal as the rest of the tower. I’m not sure why I had expected it to be different when the steps were part of the structure and built into it.

My kids counted the steps to the first floor. It was only 327 of them, but they felt like they were going on forever. I kept stopping every so often to gather myself and not look down, but it’s impossible not to look when you know you shouldn’t.

I looked down, and my face drained blood as I saw the ground disappear and people becoming ants. My head suddenly felt full and I worried that I was going to faint.

Breathe. You can do this. I kept telling myself as the fog in my head cleared. I didn’t look down but focused on the steps or looking up. It was easier and I soon made it to the first-floor platform.

It was large square with a cafe and stores in the middle. Gentle music sounded from somewhere, and there were many people who filled the walkway around the perimeter.

Everyone enjoyed the view over Paris through a latticed mesh. I wasn’t scared to look at the view from here. It was too beautiful to miss.

Once we had enough of the first floor, we started climbing again. 347 steps of steep climbing with the wind in my hair and my heart in my shoes. I was terrified and had to stop several times to talk myself up those stairs.

I wanted to give up.

I wanted to sit down and refuse to move, but there were people climbing both in front, and behind me. I had to keep going.

This time I didn’t look down because I fear I would have had a panic attack if I did.

The relief of getting to the second floor was immense and to my surprise this floor felt even bigger than the first. There were many mini stores and a museum. Artwork was dotted round the perimeter for people to admire while they took in the magnificent view of Paris.

A couple was drinking champagne. Several families were having something to eat. There was lighthearted energy in the air, which made me feel relaxed.

This was as high as you could get on foot. You had to get an elevator to the top and the cars were full going up, every time it passed our floor.

We could see most of Paris from the second floor and it really was incredible from up there.

We played “I spy… Who can spot the most landmarks,” with the kids. They had poured over the map before the trip, so they knew what to look for as we spied on all vantage points of east west, south and north.

It was magnificent to see the city from this height and take in the sheer vastness of the capital. There were so many buildings, parks, churches, and monuments. Through it all was the Seine River, which wound through the landscape like a silver snake.

I lost track of time as we marveled at the beauty of Paris.

I didn’t want to leave.

The descent was not as hard as I expected. This time I watched Paris become more in focus with each step. I didn’t feel the panic that I had going up.

When my feet were back on solid ground, I realized that I was shaking. I felt like Bambi on the ice and we found a bench to rest on.

I did it.

I had conquered my fear of heights and walked 674 steps straight up the Eiffel Tower.

Have you ever conquered your fears by sheer willpower?

How did you feel afterwards?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

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For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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More from Lizzy Woods:

A Vacation of a Lifetime

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/a-vacation-of-a-lifetime-6233f24c6565

Self-Doubt vs Self-Belief

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/self-doubt-vs-self-belief-f8fdbbfdf0d7

How Do You Manag Your Stress?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/how-do-you-manage-your-stress-477b7a66153d