I know it’s just a photo on a screen to you, but I hope you can feel some of the life it is to me. As the world swirls around me, I find myself breathing shallowly, not being able to focus, and running through “what if” scenarios in my mind. Luckily, I have a habit of walking every morning. I’ve been taking longer walks lately, because it takes longer to calm my mind so that I can approach the day as an actor rather than a reactor.
I remembered this morning that the most common grounding technique for anxiety attacks is the 54321 method. When you feel yourself spinning, look around for:
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
This morning I saw so many birds! And the moon setting over the water, waves crashing on rocks, runners, and dogs. I felt the cool breeze off the ocean, the rocks under my feet, the smoothness of a shell, and the elastic of my mask over my ears. I heard the crashing waves, birds calling, and the retreat of the water over gravel. I smelled the fresh air and the slightly musty smell in the shrubs where the rabbits live. I tasted the goodness of creation.
I may need to go back out later today, but for now I'm OK. My prayer is that you are, too.