I went on a hike with a friend and at some point lost my car key. We didn’t realize until we got back to the car, and she immediately went into full anxiety mode. But interestingly, I noticed I felt completely calm.
It just didn’t register as a big deal. I knew we had options. My husband could bring a spare, or we could retrace our steps. So I stayed really at ease the whole time, not a single moment of panic.
What made it so obvious was how worked up she got, though it wasn’t even her car! I found myself reassuring her that it was fine, which felt like a bit of a funny role reversal.
We ended up walking back and found the key pretty quickly. It all worked out, but what stayed with me was the calm. That definitely wouldn’t have been my default reaction before I got into meditation.
Also, bonus gain: I’m in a book club with this same friend, and we usually read fiction, but I convinced everyone to read the upcoming Fit Mind book when it comes out in June. I’m really hoping some of these mental fitness tools start to rub off on them, too!
haha that’s such a cool shift to notice. especially in contrast to someone else reacting the opposite way. it makes it really clear something has changed.
I like that you didn’t have to force the calm, it was just there. those moments feel like quiet proof the practice is doing something.
That’s great. I’ve had a few moments like that where the reaction just doesn’t fire the same way it used to. It’s not because I’m trying to stay calm, just that the situation doesn’t seem to get it’s hooks in me in the same way.
It’s interesting how ordinary it feels in the moment, a new normal. It’s only when I look back, or see someone else reacting differently, that it registers as something that’s changed in me. Good stuff.