*Hello, I understand some people are at different points in life. I know sometimes talking about intense emotions can make me nervous, so if that is you, proceed with caution. I don’t go into detail about anything bad, just want everyone feeling good*

I call this “Surfacing” (corny I know) 

Have you ever felt like you were losing control? And not just in general, but in a specific moment it all just rushes in and you start to panic. And your mind is racing and you can’t tell if you’re losing it or realizing a fate. But you’re panicking. And you feel like there’s nothing you can do. 

Or maybe it’s not that intense. Maybe you just have a really bad day and you’re crushed. And you’re sobbing and you can’t feel any more hurt or broken than in that moment. 

Sometimes we swim so deep into our thoughts we need something to pull us back to the surface. Something simple. Something so unnoticeable and minute. The tiniest of details. Let me explain...

When you are in this state....If you can (it may need some focusing) look at something. Anything. On the opposite side of the room/area/etc. maybe a TV, picture frame, fence post. at literally anything. Just stare...let your mind do what it wants right now, but you just keep your eyes on that and do not shift them (blinking is okay. Please blink.) that is your first task. 

Now, shift your eyes to something that’s just a little bit closer to you. Maybe the coffee table. But this time focus on a specific part, like the corner or a leg. And again, just stare. And try to notice something. Like the color. Or if there’s a scratch. And your mind is probably still racing a bit but that’s okay. Just try to notice one thing about it that you don’t see at first glance. 

Now do this again. Something a bit closer. Maybe the laces on your shoe. It’s so strange to think someone made those and they ended up in your shoes on your feet. Oh well, anyway, just try to notice something....

Hopefully now your starting to slow your thoughts. They may still be negative or present, but hopefully not racing. If not, try to linger on the previous steps a moment longer. 

Now look at something immensely close to you. Maybe a piece of fuzz on the pillow your head is laying on. It’s so small, right? I mean this piece of fuzz or lint or whatever came from something, and it’s just sittin around here. On my pillow. That’s weird too, ya know. How all these things we use. These things we notice and see are made of all these little tiny pieces no one ever notices. And here I am. Noticing. Existing and being in this moment. With these things. 

Can you feel your pulse? Can you feel the hair on your arm or the creases in your knuckles? All these little things make you. The tongue in your mouth touching the teeth you speak with. It’s incredible. All these things are working. They are okay. My body is okay. I’m alive. I’m breathing. My heart is beating. I’m okay. 

This is supposed to calm you down and bring you back to a place where you can breathe and ask yourself “what is my next step?” And whether that next step is taking a nap or going to therapy, this is a good way (for me at least) to start getting back to a healthier headspace. 

*This may or may not work for you. It works for me often. I told a friend and she said it helped her. I’m sorry if it’s confusing or doesn’t make sense, I did my best to explain it. Remember you have to try your best to focus and take your time to let your mind settle down. If it does not work for you, don’t get discouraged! We are all different and we all need different things. Best of luck and let me know what you think.*