I love those videos where a toddler thinks they’re stuck but just needs to duck, move a small object, or stand up for a different perspective. It’s funny how it gets me emotional about how I handle my own issues.
Like those kids, I have panicked when something changed or challenged me. I worried, felt defeated, and got overwhelmed by even the smallest obstacles.
In the past, my panic would make me give up—temporarily, for the day, or on myself altogether. But now, with tools like meditation, journaling, connecting with people, and practicing gratitude, I can put issues into perspective.
The calm parent in those videos, who patiently lets the child figure things out, only helping when necessary—that’s the voice I strive to have in my mind. It might sound corny to be my own cheerleader, but it’s incredibly effective. Talking to myself kindly helps me right-size problems. Like the toddler, I need to pause, stop panicking, take a deep breath, and really look at the challenge. Often, there’s a small action I can take to shift panic into productivity. This could be taking a break, calling someone, journaling, or simply pushing through and starting the task for just one minute.
It’s okay to feel stuck sometimes. It happens to everyone. The important part is how we respond. By cultivating a calm, supportive inner voice and breaking down challenges into manageable steps, we can navigate life’s obstacles with greater ease and resilience.
ACTION: Next time you feel overwhelmed, try to be your own calm parent. Pause, breathe, and look at the challenge from a new perspective. Take a small action to shift your panic into productivity.
