PROMPTS
“You’ve Got This, Girl!”
Prompt for “Unleash your adventurous side”
Disclaimer: In my story/rambling below, I use the phrase ‘anxious self’ to describe the “garden-type” variety of anxiety. I am not in any way downplaying, minimizing or denying a serious or debilitating type of anxiety.
My adventurous Self and anxious Self co-exist rather peacefully; they take turns appearing on my mental stage and I’m not always sure who will pop up until I see her in action.
My adventurous self, let’s call her Addy, stretches and throws out her arms in glee whenever I give her free rein. She unleashes tiny adventures all with a sense of delight. “You’ve got this, girl!” I whisper in her ear.
Bold, courageous, impulsive at times, her acts keep me on the edge of my seat, for what new path will she lead me on?
Trips halfway around the world, a new career midway through life, buying a house or crooning into a mike at the karaoke bar, she’s a whirlwind of actions as she breathes deeper and transforms her dreams into goals.
But I can’t ignore my anxious Self, hiding in the wings. They’re two peas from almost the same pod except Addy has learned to breathe deep into life, and her shadow, let’s call her Anx, tends to hyperventilate as she worries, watches, wrings her hands unintentionally and waits for the inevitable to happen which never does.
But watch out world! A new show is coming to town! There’s posters all over announcing “The Addy and Anx show”, A dynamic duo, a reality show which started on stage is now “hittin’ the road”!
My adventurous Self packs her stage makeup, throws it in a bag, and reaches out to hold her sidekick’s hand.
First time together on stage as Addy begins her soliloquy.
“It’s time, Anx, to join me in the show; no more waiting in the wings!
We’re going on a road trip, not sure how long it will be, and breathe in the freedom of new stages, scenes and happenings!
We’ll breathe fresh air, view new vistas and soar over spectacular sights to fill our hearts with delight. That’s what living’s about!”
She turns to Anx, who is standing onstage, her eyes round with hope and dread, fear and wonder even as her face softens into a smile.
“ Anx,” Ady reassures, “if your fears and worries begin to overwhelm you as we travel down the road, no worries. Just let me know. We’re a team, you know. We’ve always been a team, but sometimes I’ve neglected your feelings, trod over them, and maybe even swept them into corners.
But as we take this show on the road, whenever you need a moment, we’ll find a shady spot to sit and unwind and take deep, healing breaths until you feel ready to move on.
And the magical part? When we stop to rest, we’ll have the time to admire our relics and mementos we collect along the way, and then we’ll look back to see how far we’ve come.
Come on, girl! We’ve got this! There’s a world to explore!”
