For a few months now, I find that I’ve been . . . waiting to exhale. I am holding off on . . . doing X or thinking about Y or planning Z. Which gives me more time to sit around, frozen and miserable, while anticipating, ruminating, stewing, and creating ever-more frightening scenarios in my mind.
And, of course, spending less time doing the very things that might make me feel better.
Like exhaling.
It’s the election bullshit, of course. I just feel so unsettled and uncertain that I don’t want to move on until I have a better sense of what’s going to happen next. And, really . . . I know better. (Because the future is always unsettled and uncertain. We just all pretend that it isn’t.) Holding our breath when we’re anxious is actually bad for our health — physical and mental.
So today I’m here to remind you to . . . breathe. Big breaths in, big breaths out. When we exhale – like really exhale – we can feel our bodies relax. Even for just a moment.
And, while you’re at it, DO something you’ve been “waiting” to do. (Y’know. Like actually making decisions about new living room furniture. Just sayin.)
Go ahead.
Let yourself exhale.
No matter what the future brings, we’re still going to need to breathe!
Learn how to exhale, the inhale will take care of itself.
— Carla Melucci Ardito
(PS This post falls into the category of the-photos-have-nothing-to-do-with-the-content. Happy Halloween!)
Excellent advice, all so true, but so difficult to execute! I have spent way too much time in my life holding my breath, as if that will change anything except exponentially increasing my anxiety and the chronic tension in my chest muscles. I have actually been doing breathing exercises since my husband died, and it has really helped my coping abilities as well as my breathing. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to improve their mental and physical health. I actually went to look at furniture yesterday, Kym. LOL It’s part of my plan to make my nest for the winter more cozy and comforting. Now if I could just find something I like…
You do need to breathe (and maybe buy new living room furniture before tariffs are imposed)!
I should have worded that differently: buy new living room furniture before tariffs are possibly imposed.
Shopping does seem to help at times! I find myself practicing my yoga breath when I wake in the night. I don’t think it helps me get back to sleep any faster, but it feels good to do it. Is that a crow planter or container in the picture? Love it!
…or planning a getaway or two or three!! That always helps me. 🙂
I have always been a person who does not worry about things out of my control. This “election season” falls into that category… although, I confess having an actual season that has been 90-ish days is something that should be our norm! I live with a person who actually believes there will be no difference no matter who wins… that is far more worrisome to me and that is causing me a great deal of unrest… so yes, I could do with a bit of exhaling! XO
Thank you for the wise advice! I am so anxious about the election that I’m having trouble focusing on the things that help me relax. Breathing is a good place to start!
It is so hard to settle right now, isn’t it? Part of me feels like I shouldn’t be making any plans until we know the outcome, but even if the nightmare scenario comes true, that doesn’t mean that we’ll cease living our lives. There is always laundry to be done and there will always be yarn to knit and books to read. And I have things to look forward to in the next two months — like a new niece and a trip with my family! To paraphrase Dory, Just Keep Breathing.
Excellent advice! I’m letting myself feel a little bit hopeful right now because . . . why not? If the worst happens I’m going to feel terrible and making myself anxious about it in advance doesn’t serve a purpose. I’m not going to think, if only I hadn’t been hopeful . . . So, call me hopeful. And also sort of anxious.
Very good advice. And an exhale longer than an inhale has a calming effect on the central nervous system.
I have to say that, at times like this, I’m extra grateful for being someone who finds joy in the cracks. For example, the whimsical crow on your [gorgeous!] garden bench. I hope you find solace in the space you’ve created. It strikes me as a haven.
🧡
Thank you for that reminder – I know I’m going to be holding my breath these next few weeks … and maybe I can do it just metaphorically?