Tidal Wave

“You have no idea what is coming your way!” That was the single phrase that made my bucket overflow.

It was March 12th, and I was again consuming more and more about the Coronavirus. We are in a time where information about the virus is everywhere and it’s hard to avoid. Over time all this consumption became like drops of informational water in my emotional bucket.

Before March 12th, my bucket was absorbing the drops of information relatively well, but without realizing it my bucket was teetering on overflowing. After reading a Facebook story from a woman living in Milan who said in her post,  “You have no idea what is coming your way!” my bucket tipped over and a wave of worry, fear, and anxiety came pouring out.

I kept picturing a tidal wave of screaming-panicked people coming at me and I had no where to run, hide, or find safety.

I started to feel very anxious and worried

I cried because my bucket had overflowed

I felt like I needed to get out and get away. 

So, I did…

I grabbed my snowboarding gear and headed to my car as fast as I could. I sped to the mountain driving 90 miles an hour most of the way. I kept thinking, “I just need to get on the mountain and get on my snowboard.”
Once there, I popped in my ear buds and cranked up the music to help drown out my thoughts. As I came to the top of the chair lift, it was like time stopped:

The sun was shining

The mountains were awe inspiring

The snow sparkled in the sun

I let myself breathe and exhale and just-be-in-the-moment

I rode for an hour non-stop. With each run, the tidal wave of panic got smaller and smaller till it was just a ripple.

Since March 12th, I have had moments where I notice my bucket filling back up; at which time I stop and pour it out so it doesn’t overflow. I pour out it out by exercising at home, going for a walk in my neighborhood, doing yard work, coaching clients, turning off the news, and giving extra kisses and snuggles to my dog Penny.

I am learning that during this time: I have control.

I control what I watch.
I control what I read.
I control how much is too much.

When I start to feel my bucket filling up, I am allowed to turn off the t.v. or turn off social media. 

I have never been thru this before. None of us have. And because of that, I am allowing myself to be Certain in the Uncertainty and to ride the wave rather than run away from it.
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Karen Tran - Seattle Life Coach
www.karentrancoaching.com