I'm delighted to see you share that the word "anxiety" comes from a Latin root meaning "to choke." I learned this a few years ago and it's one of my favorite etymological discoveries. I've shared it with many people and they are always surprised and then intrigued by the connection.
Thank you for writing about this with such an open lens. I feel anxiety is the thing that taps us rather than chases us. It is persistent, not sudden. Until its buildup boils over. I believe when fully understood, anxiety can be useful. Fear presents in the sudden moment. Anxiety is the future. They are different yet often thought of as twins.
Fear doesn’t hold hands with anxiety. Uncertainty does.
Which is why we are all so anxious in this country right now.
I’m grateful for your insight into somatic healing. While walking my dog in the woods yesterday I felt a sudden urge to take off my boots and socks. I stood barefoot on the earth for a few minutes (it was only 28 degrees here in MA so couldn’t stay for too long like that). The immediate response that had on my body can’t be overstated. When my mind is yanking me, the earth always grounds me.
I love how you integrate the Earth! So grounding. I can't say I would have listened to that intuition, but as I continue to practice following her, I'll remember this and give in more often to the strange requests.
I cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been to gaze out at that blaze! Two Summers ago, in Ottawa, Canada, there were fires quite close to the downtown Ottawa core (we live just a couple of km East of downtown). The fires were so close that we were directed to wear masks while outdoors due to the poorest air quality index I think the city had ever seen. The air was smokey and thick - it was a scary and eye-opening time.
Then, of course, there the fires that have been getting worse these past few years on the West coast of Canada. Ripping through neighborhoods, jumping lakes, and tearing through woodlands, these fires destroy everything.
Over the past few years, I keep coming back to this need for tactile experience. To ground myself, to take a shower fully presently. Perhaps not so coincidentally...I've also been in a more dedicated season of managing my generalized anxiety and panic disorders. It all comes back to coming back to the body!
"Anxiety is responding to the stories we make up about what might happen, even when we aren’t conscious of what those stories may be. Fear feels more sourced in fact." This is such a good distinction, Elise. I'm so happy you and your family are safe.
Years ago, a friend suggested I go into the woods and howl to release my stored anger/grief. It was easier to howl than scream. I liked pretending I was an animal. The howling grew in strength until I tapped the tears, then the sobs, then the relief. Deep relief and an inner knowing, "It's all okay." It's down there, we just need to get to it.
It all comes back to the body, doesn't it. I've been dealing with some anxiety and fear and my first intuition is to rest and meditate and pull out all my mind tools. But instead, I think I need to move (gently) and work with the body. Thanks for the inspiration and glad you're safe. I know what it's like to look out your window and see a mountain in your backyard on fire. Not a fun experience.
I'm delighted to see you share that the word "anxiety" comes from a Latin root meaning "to choke." I learned this a few years ago and it's one of my favorite etymological discoveries. I've shared it with many people and they are always surprised and then intrigued by the connection.
Thank you for writing about this with such an open lens. I feel anxiety is the thing that taps us rather than chases us. It is persistent, not sudden. Until its buildup boils over. I believe when fully understood, anxiety can be useful. Fear presents in the sudden moment. Anxiety is the future. They are different yet often thought of as twins.
Fear doesn’t hold hands with anxiety. Uncertainty does.
Which is why we are all so anxious in this country right now.
I’m grateful for your insight into somatic healing. While walking my dog in the woods yesterday I felt a sudden urge to take off my boots and socks. I stood barefoot on the earth for a few minutes (it was only 28 degrees here in MA so couldn’t stay for too long like that). The immediate response that had on my body can’t be overstated. When my mind is yanking me, the earth always grounds me.
I love how you integrate the Earth! So grounding. I can't say I would have listened to that intuition, but as I continue to practice following her, I'll remember this and give in more often to the strange requests.
It did feel strange (at first) but was something my body clearly called for.
I cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been to gaze out at that blaze! Two Summers ago, in Ottawa, Canada, there were fires quite close to the downtown Ottawa core (we live just a couple of km East of downtown). The fires were so close that we were directed to wear masks while outdoors due to the poorest air quality index I think the city had ever seen. The air was smokey and thick - it was a scary and eye-opening time.
Then, of course, there the fires that have been getting worse these past few years on the West coast of Canada. Ripping through neighborhoods, jumping lakes, and tearing through woodlands, these fires destroy everything.
Over the past few years, I keep coming back to this need for tactile experience. To ground myself, to take a shower fully presently. Perhaps not so coincidentally...I've also been in a more dedicated season of managing my generalized anxiety and panic disorders. It all comes back to coming back to the body!
"Anxiety is responding to the stories we make up about what might happen, even when we aren’t conscious of what those stories may be. Fear feels more sourced in fact." This is such a good distinction, Elise. I'm so happy you and your family are safe.
Years ago, a friend suggested I go into the woods and howl to release my stored anger/grief. It was easier to howl than scream. I liked pretending I was an animal. The howling grew in strength until I tapped the tears, then the sobs, then the relief. Deep relief and an inner knowing, "It's all okay." It's down there, we just need to get to it.
It all comes back to the body, doesn't it. I've been dealing with some anxiety and fear and my first intuition is to rest and meditate and pull out all my mind tools. But instead, I think I need to move (gently) and work with the body. Thanks for the inspiration and glad you're safe. I know what it's like to look out your window and see a mountain in your backyard on fire. Not a fun experience.
This is utterly amazing. 👏🏼 happy you & your family are safe!