Today’s tip is for when you get cut off, someone irritates you, you’re feeling self-conscious, or anytime you’re generally bothered in any way.
When any of that shit happens, take a step back, almost like you’re stepping outside of yourself, notice the narrative in your mind and how the experience feels inside you. Simply observe.
I was frustrated after an argument recently when I remembered to do this. I noticed that my whole body was super tense. It felt like I was tightly holding onto something (which was interesting because I was definitely clinging to one little thing in my mind too!).
So I noticed that, I took a deep breath, and I let my body relax. My face un-crunched. My shoulders came down. I was still annoyed, but I was relaxing with that.
This isn’t easy to do in the heat of the moment. But when I do step back and soften in my body, I become less resistant to the energy of the moment so it moves through me more fluidly. It’s not comfortable, but it helps me accept what’s going on and viscerally let go.
Instead of closing-off, feeling and releasing helps us to genuinely move on without residual tension weighing us down.
I learn something about myself every time I do this. It also makes me feel clearer, lighter, and even proud of myself! See how that makes you feel.