Let's take things one moment at a time
Breathe in. Breathe out.
On the day my cats passed, I turned to my husband and said, “Today, we take things one moment at a time.”
It’s become a mantra since then: One moment at a time.
I am losing my primary income at the end of this month and feel super super anxious about returning to self-employment (even though I want to): One moment at a time.
My nervous system is in overdrive about the terrible stakes of the upcoming U.S. election: One moment at a time.
The world is burning and I feel helpless to stop it: One moment at a time.
My brain has a love-fear relationship with the future. I feel safe there, in planning and anticipation mode. It gives me a sense of control. But when so much is uncertain, it’s a surefire way to send me into a panic attack.
I can’t even think about how I’ll get through the next hour right now, much less tomorrow or next week.
But the next moment? Yes, I can do that.
And the next.
Recently I’ve made risotto on election nights. There’s something meditative about stirring rice, adding liquid, more butter, Parmesan. My suggestion.
Robin, I remember watching a short video on YouTube many years ago. It was a young woman, a teenager, who was talking about how hard it is sometimes to deal with life. Sometimes it’s just overwhelming. When it all got to be too much, she took a breath and said, “In this moment, I’m okay. In this moment, I’m okay.” I was never able to find that video again, but I’ve thought of it so many times over the years. Your post has just that message. Thank you for reminding me. I’m guessing we can all use “one moment at a time” thinking for the next few days or so.
Sending you calming thoughts.