Many people with vertigo wouldn't even go up a small step later, so for you to be at 20, 30 feet up on some scaffolding, and actually being able to work, is quite an achievement. It is human nature to doubt oneself, sometimes you just have to give it a go and see what results. Good luck.
As far as heights go, you will never see me up there! Not scared of heights, indeed, in my youth, I worked quite high on scaffolds and on scissor lifts and bucket trucks. However I have a neurological disorder that affects my balance and also weakens my knees, causing them to occasionally collapse. It is progressive and has gotten much worse since then. Concerning "salad soup", I think I would be hesitant about it. But once I saw the bread, hey, bring it on. Soup looked good but the bread looked perfect!
I need to replace some cracked bricks at the top of one of the flues just shy of the chimney stack before I sell my house so that it's not picked up during a survey, I have always felt like I'm in a constant state of falling when I'm up high irregardless of where I'm looking, it's not a fear of heights, it's more like a state of disorientation caused by the physicality of it all, so I feel for you, and I am genuinely glad you got through it enough to get the job done.
I share your challenge too, it never looks high from the ground though, that’s what makes us initially take on ‘challenges’ Good luck and start looking for someone else to point chimneys - proudly accept your limitations 😂
It is a horrible feeling when you get vertigo. I get that feeling in my legs and tummy as you do, if I am up high looking down. Even if I am watching someone on tv doing the same thing. I have had the real vertigo many years ago, on the ground, which lasted about 3 weeks, feeling like I was on a rough sea, unable to walk properly without feeling nauseous, and it was all to do with crystals in the inner ear becoming dislodged. I ended up having a visit to the hospital, where they made me lie down, and move my head from side to side, and sit up quickly I think - anyway, it worked thank goodness, but I still get that feeling as you do if I am up high. You are very brave to overcome your fears, and to carry on regardless. Blessings from Jilly & Madge the rescue greyhound, from West Devon, England. xxx
After 40 years of battling vertigo, my advice is try not to battle it too hard. A bad day is a bad day and there is usually something else you can do. On a good day I can stand on a scaffolding or a high ladder without any problem, on a bad day, I can't even stand on a chair to change a lightbuilb. It is a physical reaction to a physical defect. Most people would not play football with a broken hip, if you know what I mean. So I use the good days when they come and the bad days for what I usually avoid on the good days, the boring stuff.
Not sure if you have man lift rental equipment near you but I have rented them frequently here in the US. I wear a harness and clip onto the bucket. Even a scissor lift might work for you. Makes short work of diy projects like this and is worth the cost. Here they deliver and pick up the equipment.
Im an electrician and yes scared of unstable high platforms .However over the years Ive found the more I do it the more I feel comfortable being up there .Now I rarely have an issue or I take a few days to adjust
WHen you were pondering "salad soup" (great title for a children's book, by the way) and you reveled the bread - I immediately knew I love salad soup! =D
Such an interesting episode! Conquering doubt is something many of us face daily. Your renovation is testament to the fact that it can be done, to great effect! As for heights, I’m in awe of your scaffolding, and sincerely hope you find a solution to the vertigo. As I’m a senior now, I leave ladders and scaffolding to those much younger than me. Cheers to you both
what I have found with my vertigo is to wear a confining vest and a place to tie onto, slowly move my head in the same direction as the movement of my body. I am intrigued with the new research that is showing that fear of heights and vertigo are related to the brain receiving opposing inputs at once.
Re: vertigo, exposure therapy does wonders. Set up your scaffold high enough to be uncomfortable, and spend a few hours there. Walk, sit, lie on the scaffold, count stones in the wall, count clouds in the sky or what have you. Once it is not uncomfortable anymore, raise it. You will be unafraid super fast. Do not bring a book or other entertainment that would keep you from looking down.
I would struggle with what you achieved in this video. My only suggestion is a bigger, stronger scaffold for the chimney - to keep you in your comfort zone.
Much respect. You are coping, or seem to cope, pretty well as it is. I feel for and with you, although I stopped experiencing vertigo when I was still in primary school. It just vanished overnight. Good luck!
C'est juste une question d'habitude. Plus vous monterez et plus ce sera facile. Le cerveau est très bien fait et lorsqu'il comprend que le risque est limité, le vertige s'en va. Courage.
So…….salad soup. I must admit that in the last episode when salad soup was mentioned, the very thought of salad ingredients made into a soup didn’t do it for me, but It’s just a terminology thing. The French people call it salad soup. The Brits call it vegetable soup. And it looked delicious!
I love your commentary, listen to your thoughts. It’s soothing. Thank you for that. I have no fear of heights but fear of depths. Like deep lakes or the ocean. It comes with deeply rooted anxiety. I feel for you but I agree with your other viewers, you can get use to it. Exposure will help. I’m looking forward to the next video and maybe you think about to do a podcast … about life… cats… telling people stories to help out when we need thoughts that help to connect with our soul.
Salad-Soup? or is this a French term that just sounds like that? I can see given the ingredients where the name might derive. As someone from the nekulturny US, I've never heard of this gastronomic experience despite frequently eating various soups AND various salads. I thoroughly enjoy your videos Lewis - as well as your philosophical meanderings. Be brave - doubt is an essential part of taking risks, learning new things and overcoming limitations. When you overcome your doubts - particular to achieve something you've never done before, the feeling is quite indescribable and one of my main drivers towards learning and doing new things. Sometimes you have to dive right into it to move through and past it. When I was young, fear of heights and vertigo were a thing I was well familiar with. A visceral, physical sensation. To combat that I took up rock climbing and for the 30ish years that I was an active climber I overcame it - in ways I find unfathomable now in retrospect as the fear of heights and vertigo have returned with some vengeance. It's all part of the journey though. You can do what you set out to do as long as you take doubt as a challenge instead of an obstacle.
To overcome a similar 'fear' I have flung myself off perfectly good bridges on zip wires or cords several times. I maintain (as best I can) eye contact with the horizon to steady my physical feelings of dread....I hope that perspective helps when you are pointing the chimney. 👍
Over 40 years or so repeated use of ladders has largely got me used to heights. I am still cautious though. I have had scaffolds up on my current house three times and each time the scaffold hasn’t been tied to the house as I’ve been rendering. Even when multiple cross braces are in place the scaffold has a little “sway”; you just get used to it as you concentrate on the job in hand. I enjoy your “stories”. You have a way with words. Your editing is brilliant. I think a book would be a good thing to do. Thanks for the fun and thought processes.
I empathise with your fear of heights and vertigo. I just avoid triggers which of course doesn't help. I'll be interested in the remedies you may receive.
Healthy not to be over confident as it means you’ll learn new things from other people’s experience. A harness might help with the subconscious and vertigo if it’s related to the fear. Well done on pushing thru it. Maybe keep going up to train your brain it’s safe but just sit and hang out so not doing anything dangerous as your mind sees it. Then it might get easier each time. At least that’s what I’ve heard others say abt their fear of heights and using platforms like that.
I feel your fear, I am terrified of heights and would never have been able to do what you did, I couldn't even stand on a chair because it would make me feel so ill, I enjoy watching Escape to Rural France but I have suffered everytime Dan is working on heights, how do i feel physically sick when it isn't me looking over the edge of heights, thank you for not showing how high you were, as I can cope with looking up but not a hope with looking down. I am so glad you have decided you do actually like salad soup, the way you described it people will be asking for the recipe. Thank you for your wonderful narration, I look forward to your videos every week. I hope you have a great week x
I experienced the fear of heights in my late 30’s (almost 20 years ago). Thanks to the antenna tower in Rotterdam (don’t look through stairs upwards on fast moving clouds from the Atlantic, it screws up your brain). But that fear is very specific in a way that I got vertigo only in open spaces, if there’s a rail that I can put my hand on, that fear disappears. And with the strongest of will I force myself through it. So, great job 👍🏻, you found the strength to overcome it (temporarily but that is what matters).
Maybe get yourself a lanyard safety harness. Once you're hooked on to the scaffolding you know you can't go anywhere. Your still connected with the group. Good luck buddy.
Thanks for sharing….i too suffer from vertigo when encountering heights. You are doing amazingly well……carry on…..you are much braver than I could ever be.
Salad Soup. Its all in the idea, isnt it. If it was Vegetable soup, that would be delicious. Like the visceral reaction to heights. Its the idea, yet the problem is much bigger than soup. I suppose its about whether, and when, youre ready to tackle the problem, if its worth the effort and the pain for gain. Some interesting thoughts pitched right without being cheesy. Good video, thank you.
I suffer from anxiety/doubt/perfectionism & vertigo too. Vertigo seems to me to be to do with my eye's focus. If I can't see a reasonable amount of ground around me, my balance deteriorates. It's mental as well - I've noticed that I suffer more when I'm unconfident and ill at ease. Sometimes doubt has me thinking in circles, so that I get mentally exhausted and ignore the task/issue - a kind've safety valve.
I don't like heights either, but with all the bracing on the scaffold you should feel as safe as in your mother's arms. I did work at that height on my home with just on a ladder. I had plenty of doubt.
I don't know how we can translate from French and English "Qui va piano va sano ". Then you can do a great job as you do ! And also I do appreciate my English lesson each week..
Lifelong fear of heights. All my other fears I have been able to dispel my doubt and face down. At 70 I tried to take on the circular iron staircase to my gorgeous rooftop view. I found myself crawling backwards to get down. Could not cross the chasm of the last bit: stepping onto the platform to the roof. I see myself falling. Sometimes I see myself leaping. Next thing I know I am crawling down. Your vertigo is physiological and connected to inner ear perhaps? Before trying the chimneys, study online and get pro tips. You are doing so well will the house, but in the same way most people need an electrician to do the wiring, you may just need a rooftop guy to do this part. No shame in it…
Sounds like Emerson,Lake and Palmers. Brain salad surgery to me. Have you thought of using a harness they really do help with a feeling of security. Or better yet pay some one else to repoint the stacks. I would like to point out that leaving the gable caps in situ prevents redressing with stone to the slates with the gap you have between the capping and stone this will allow for birds and rodents to access the top of your wall with all the resulting problems. Still it is your house and you must do as you feel you must or can manage or afford. I would like to point out that cheaping out on the initial build can lead to far more costly issues down the line. Personally I would be tempted to get a job for the summer save some cash, just do small jobs at the weekend and use the money to upgrade materials ideas and work force but that is just me.
You’ll probably feel safer on better scaffolding? I am not comfortable above eave’s height( modern house so sub 5metres.) But I was okay on the roof with proper scaffolding. 😀
Seeing the cracks again from this perspective, maybe this house could benefit from some tie rods properly positioned to help keep together the opposite outer walls, even if the lighter roof it's already a good start. When I had a job that involved frequent days on the roofs, after a few weeks the vertigo and consequent physical reactions to it had eased a little, but they never went away completely.
Sounds more like an autonomic nervous system response - flight/fight/freeze - rather than vertigo. If you have vertigo you definitely should not be up there.
Years ago I tried parachuting to try and overcome vertigo! Don't bother it didn't work. Don't know if one can acclimatise oneself to heights. May be with repeated exposure..??
