Overcoming FOMO

My Night at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy in Chattanooga

It’s not uncommon to feel a twinge of apprehension when stepping out of your comfort zone. For me, that apprehension was in full swing when I considered attending the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy event in Chattanooga. The idea of walking into a venue filled with strangers, having no clear picture of what to expect, was daunting. My mind was awash with doubts: What if I didn’t fit in? What if I felt out of place? What if it turned out to be a night wasted? What if, God forbid, complete strangers tried to strike up a conversation with me??? Yet, amidst these swirling uncertainties, there was a stronger, more compelling fear—the fear of missing out, or FOMO as we often call it.

The allure of an Edgar Allan Poe-themed evening was irresistible. Poe's works have always held a macabre charm, a mixture of eerie beauty and dark intrigue. After all, I’ve been a fan of Poe’s writing, and of Poe himself, since my early teen years. Maybe earlier. His writing is just as eerie and strange as his life.

The event promised readings, performances, and an atmosphere drenched in the gothic ambiance reminiscent of Poe's stories. Yet, as much as the event intrigued me, the anxiety of attending alone and facing the unknown almost held me back.

I debated with myself for days. I’d look at the ticket page (Instagram made sure I kept seeing it over and over and over), my finger hovering over the ‘Purchase’ button, only to close the tab moments later. The thought of mingling with strangers was intimidating. What would I wear? What would I say? The “what ifs” seemed endless.

But then, a thought crossed my mind—how many times have I regretted not taking a chance? How many stories have I missed out on, simply because I let fear win? With that in mind, I decided to push through the anxiety. I bought the ticket. FOMO won this round, and I hoped it would lead me to a memorable experience.

The evening of the event, my nerves were on edge. During the day I had toyed with the idea of just blowing it off and staying home. As I approached the venue, a historic building in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, my heart raced. When I contacted the Poe website about what to wear, they “highly recommended” cocktail attire. So, I was prepared with my coat and tie.

But as I watched people approaching the venue from the comfort of my air conditioned car, I realized most of them didn’t get the memo. They were in t-shirts and shorts. Some more dressy. Most less. So, I took off my tie, donned my sport coat, took a deep breath, and headed to the back of the line.

The interior was interesting. I wasn’t really sure if we would be sitting at tables and forced to interact with those around us. Dimly lit chandeliers cast soft glows over dark auditorium furniture and black trash bags taped over the windows. The room buzzed with the low hum of conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter. At the front, a small stage was set up. Eerie red and blue lighting crossed the stage. I felt a little better that we were seated in rows where I could just watch without having to interact. And a few people in this sold out crowd opted to stand on the outskirts of the seating, which meant the two seats next to me were empty Selfish, I know. But that’s me in a nutshell.

Immediately after introductions from the evening’s host, the cast circulated to pass out what was the first of four cocktails for the evening. The Pale Blue Eye. The Cat’s Meow. The Nevermore. And the Mask of the Red Death. A drink was delivered. An Act was performed. Another drink. Then another Act.

The evening unfolded beautifully. The performers were outstanding, each bringing Poe’s chilling tales to life with such passion and intensity. From the haunting recitation of “The Raven” to the gripping dramatization of “The Tell-Tale Heart,” each performance drew us deeper into Poe’s dark, mesmerizing world. The actors, dressed in gothic attire, moved across the stage, making eye contact and engaging us in the narrative, making the experience feel personal and intimate.

One of the highlights of the evening started out as something I really thought was going to be quite lame. Act 3 was a narration of The Raven. The actor, I felt, was trying a bit too hard. Rather than sticking to the poetic rhyme and lilt of the written words, he was pausing where it didn’t seem right. My initial thought was, “He thinks he’s doing a Hamlet monologue, but he’s not Hamlet.

But as his performance progressed, I began to see more and more about why it started this way. Slowly, line by line, he was delving deep into the psychosis and insanity of the poem’s narrator. Soon he was jumping about, grabbing his ears to stop hearing “Nevermore,” and almost screaming the lines from the depths of his crazed life. It turned out to be the highlight of the evening.

This unexpected surprise made me realize how much we limit ourselves by giving in to our fears. Had I stayed home, I would have missed out on some really good performances and genuine enjoyment of the evening. It was a reminder that stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to enriching experiences and connections we never imagined.

Walking back to my car, I felt a sense of satisfaction. The initial fear and hesitation seemed so insignificant now, overshadowed by the rich experiences and memories I had made. The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy had not only lived up to my expectations but had far exceeded them. It was a night of immersive storytelling and creative performances.

This experience reinforced a valuable lesson for me—sometimes, the fear of missing out can be a powerful motivator. It can push us to take risks and embrace opportunities we might otherwise shy away from. While it’s natural to feel anxious about the unknown, it’s important to remember that some of the best experiences lie just beyond our comfort zones.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t let fear hold me back. The night at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy was not only a celebration of Poe’s literary genius but also a celebration of stepping into the unknown and discovering the magic that awaits there. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that overcoming FOMO can lead to some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of our lives.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating, remember that the fear of missing out isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s a nudge, a gentle push to take that leap and uncover the extraordinary moments waiting for you. After all, life is too short to let fear dictate our choices. Embrace the unknown, and you might just find that it’s filled with more wonder and joy than you ever imagined.