Confession first: I hate needles. Not a mild dislike. The kind where I get a little tense just thinking about a vaccine schedule. Being pricked, being injected, any of it, I’d rather not.
So of all the side quests I’ve picked up, this one was never on my list.
Then a friend of mine, someone who’s basically a brother to me, needed blood for his mom. And just like that, it wasn’t a question of whether I liked needles anymore.
The part I’d rather not relive
The nurse was incredibly kind. Which is good, because I kept repeating the same request over and over: please don’t let me see the needle, and please don’t let me see the blood coming out. She was patient with me every single time.
So I did the only thing I could. I closed my eyes, squeezed the little blue stress ball in my hand, and braced myself.
I know it was quick. Objectively, it didn’t take long at all. But the feeling of blood being drawn out of your body is just… strange. It doesn’t feel natural, and I won’t pretend it does. My whole body was cringing through it.
The part I’d happily do again
And then it was done.
What surprised me was how good I felt afterward. Not physically, I was just sitting there with a bandage and a water bottle, but something quieter. A real sense of accomplishment. I’d faced one of the things I genuinely dread, and on the other side of it was something useful for someone I care about.
I didn’t fight a boss or clear a dungeon. I just sat in a chair with my eyes shut. But it felt like one of the more meaningful things I’ve done in a while.
Turning it into a recurring quest
The nurse mentioned that my blood type is a common one, which means it’s needed often. So I’m planning to come back roughly every few months.
I’m not going to pretend I’ll get braver about the needle. I’ll probably close my eyes every single time. But I think that’s okay. You don’t have to stop being scared of something to keep showing up for it.
If you’ve been on the fence about donating, and especially if you’re a fellow needle-hater, this is your sign. Bring a stress ball. Tell the nurse what you need. Close your eyes if you have to. It’s worth it.