“Bolt” means to lock in place or to run. Fear makes you pick one fast; pick on purpose instead.

Fright produces two automatic responses and no deliberation. You either lock up where you are or get out fast, and both happen before you have considered which the situation actually calls for, which is useful in real danger and clumsy for most of what you meet. Sometimes staying is right and sometimes leaving is. The problem is letting adrenaline choose.

Next time something frightens you, name the two options out loud before you move: stay and do what, or go and go where. Take a breath between the fear and the action. You are allowed to pick what you would pick when calm.