Flipping the Bird to Anxiety: Walking to Safety
Finding Safety Through Humor and Resilience in the Face of Anxiety
Flipping the Bird to Anxiety: Walking to Safety
A simple walk sends Sandy into an uncomfortable escape. She’s walking for the sake of what everyone and their self-help guru swears is good for anxiety and depression. It has actually proven to help in her case. However, with each step, she’s out there on a wing and a prayer—believe it or not, she’s walking on air, though it never quite feels so free. Let's play name that 80's song. lol
Sandy likes to flip the bird to labels like anxiety and depression that therapists slap on her. It’s a feat just to get herself out the door with all the mind games playing evil tricks on her.
She could teach a masterclass in hypervigilance. Headphones? Not a chance. She needs to hear every rustle and hum, ever on alert for any signs of danger. The woods might be scenic, but who needs scenic when lurking threats could be behind every tree?
Flipping the Bird to Anxiety
Nope, the neighborhood it is, where the soundtrack is a chaotic symphony of cars, planes, and barking dogs ready to pounce from behind every corner—one even bit her once. Sounds like the perfect remedy for anxiety, doesn't it?
As Sandy purposefully strides along, her mind performs a classic Houdini, escaping into a whirlwind of thoughts. She’s scanning for threats while simultaneously crafting fantasies of a fearless life, plotting what she’d do with a lottery win, and daydreaming about an ideal partner—someone who, unlike her anxiety, would actually be supportive.
Her route is like clockwork, yet unpredictably timed to outsmart any would-be stalkers. Each step is a cautious dance between staying aware of her surroundings and slipping into her mental escape.
But somewhere along the way, she hits the zombie zone—completely checked out, with no thoughts, feelings, or memories. It’s as if she’s on autopilot, her mind flipping the switch to 'no-one’s home' mode.
Meanwhile, as she suddenly realizes she’s back at her house, it’s like a slap in the face. She went from deep in thought to blindly staying on course of her typical route. She wonders how she got back. A quick check of the time subconsciously confirms it’s been almost an hour—the typical duration of her route.
Taken aback, she mutters to herself, "Well, well, well, would you look at that? My therapist was right. My body’s been going through the motions of walking, but I’m completely disconnected from it. Who knew? I’m here relieving my anxiety and depression, but clearly, my brain decided to take a vacation while my feet did all the heavy lifting.”
Walking to Safety
Creating a magical world where she can feel a little bit safer than her reality might not be such a bad deal after all. She also decides that flipping the bird to dissociation could be helpful because she knows even her subconscious will snap her out of it if a threat arises.
Every walk is an act of defiance, a hopeful march against the tide of her fears. Sandy reflects on her strength, finding inspiration in her ability to face the world one step at a time. Despite the ever-present undercurrent of fear, her spirit is uplifted by the dream of a better, safer tomorrow.
PSA - When our ‘deep in thought’ moments turn to having no awareness of our thoughts, body, or surroundings, it can be a bit scary. Seeking therapy is courageous.
How have you used humor to get through things in life?
Lori K Today is a lifestyle publication. Reflecting on life w/ GenX humor. Sharing relatable mostly short stories, recipes, reviews, and my Human Design experiment.
Great article, Lori!
Lucky to have humor as a friend