Pittakionophobia

“Pittakionophobia is the irrational fear of sticky labels or a tab with adhesive, something that I’ve faced since first school. As a very young kid, realising I was repulsed by the near sight of playful graphic stickers was absolutely daunting.  knowing it’s something heavily used within a classroom and majorly adored by other children, but knowing i’m inevitably doomed to interact with them because I couldn’t possibly tell anyone such a minor object is terrifying me so harshly. Being a child and not being able to play or create with one of the most versatile craft supplies ever felt sad, phobias are suffocating, you’re riddled with made up fears and limitations that effect everyday life, I’m forever reduced into tears, numb jaws, racing pulse, dead legs, the desire to astral project out your own skin, the list goes on. 

Pittakionophobia is something I’m currently working on getting over, I want to be able to work with stickers in collaging and the fact I can’t face up to it is silly. I currently challenge myself with sticker interactions most days to desensitise myself. My piece is symbolic of how stickers silenced me, through embarrassment and physical paralysis, anxieties and being cut short of creative expression. But I’m growing, looking straight at myself and working on overcoming this, like a butterfly, growing to become the better version of myself for a better future to further express creativity <3”

— Sophie Georgina on “Pittakionophobia”