When You Go Full Splat

Months ago, I had a massive panic attack while driving.

Full-blown, full splat- so intense I was worried about my health. I was so spun out I couldn’t access any of the tools I usually teach. Except one.

When I got to my destination, I put myself into the Wonder Woman pose. It was the only thing my brain could hook into. And that was enough.

Once I was in that pose, I could be with what was, instead of getting pulled into the memories and stories that had been activated.

I’m sharing this as a reminder: the more tools you have, and the more you practice them when you’re calm, the more likely you are to actually reach for one when everything feels out of control.

At the time, I walked to the beach and stood barefoot. In theory, that should have grounded me. It didn’t.

Trying to tell myself to “just ground” in that moment would’ve been like telling someone to calm down when they’re upset- it only would’ve made things worse.

But doing something physical like the pose, brought me back enough to function. And eventually laugh.

When I got home, I could feel I was only surface-level rooted. I needed to go deeper.

But again, I didn’t try to force grounding. I couldn’t.

What I could do was simple:

I put my hand on the top of my head to feel my body.
I imagined calling my aura back in, gathering myself.
Then I did a nervous system technique.
And only then could I feel the Earth.

This is why practicing when you’re calm matters. Because in those blown-out moments, if healing and grounding tools aren’t second nature, you won’t reach for them- you’ll fall back on what’s familiar and default to old patterns.

Sometimes, you’ll get overwhelmed. Sometimes, you’ll go full splat. That’s part of being human.

The work isn’t to never go there. It’s to have something- anything- you can reach for that helps you find your way back. Even if it’s just one small thing.

 

Next
Next

Everything is Love