"When I decided to stay in Iraq, I decided to take the fear out of my body and put it into a freezer"

In this quote by Åsne Seierstad, "When I chose to stay in Iraq, I decided to take the fear out of my body and put it into a freezer", the author uses vivid imagery to convey the psychological and mental strength required to remain in a high-risk environment like Iraq. The decision to "stay in Iraq" suggests a conscious option to persist in an unsafe and unsteady circumstance. This choice indicates a commitment to an objective or purpose that surpasses individual security concerns.

By stating "take the worry out of my body", Seierstad stresses the proactive effort required to manage her worry. Worry is a natural action to danger, and in a circumstance like Iraq, where threats might be continuous, fear can be frustrating and immobilizing. Therefore, the metaphor of eliminating fear from her body highlights an intentional act of disassociation. It's a mental technique to compartmentalize fear in order to prevent it from influencing her actions and choices.

The metaphor of "putting it into a freezer" even more highlights this principle of compartmentalization. A freezer preserves items by keeping them in an imperishable state. Likewise, by positioning her fear in a metaphorical freezer, Seierstad suggests protecting it in a way that does not affect her day-to-day performance. The freezer acts as a holding space where the worry is acknowledged but not allowed to thaw and trigger interference or impact her judgment. This suggests a level of emotional management required to work effectively in a hostile environment.

In general, the quote goes over the need of emotional resilience and psychological discipline to make it through and carry out in challenging circumstances. It highlights the value of preserving focus and determination, suggesting that worry must be managed and handled, not removed, in order to browse and stand firm in treacherous scenarios.