I realized I needed help at that moment.
Recently, my husband, David, and I traveled to Europe. We love to travel, and most times, the excitement of the adventure overrides any hiccups that arise, but this time, I let things get to me.
The overnight flight, the groggy unawakeness of getting virtually no sleep and being thrown into the busiest airport imaginable, and then the overwhelming security at London’s Heathrow, where if you have one questionable item, you wait another 45 minutes on top of what you have already been waiting in the security line to sort it out.
I was so frustrated I could feel anger boiling inside me. I wondered how I was going to get out of this without harming myself or another with my sulky, beaten-down experience.
Then, I detected David’s impatience because he had forewarned me to put my liquids in a separate bag, which I ignored—because when I went through Heathrow last spring, the security procedures were different. Excuses, excuses….
I took a deep breath at a critical moment and recalled the calming techniques I often share. I consciously decided to put them into practice, hoping for a reset to regain my composure.
Thankfully, I was able to notice the signs of my escalating frustration. This awareness was a turning point, allowing me to step back and observe the situation without getting caught up in it.
My noticing helps me understand my thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It’s like a mental pause button, allowing me to step back and observe a situation without getting caught up. With that awareness, I could change this stuck angst, even if it was just the slightest shift. With that, I could carry on, build on, and find a way through.
In that moment of clarity, I realized how crucial mindfulness could be in altering my travel experience.
This awareness was a crucial turning point—a mental pause button allowing me to objectively assess my thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It offered a slight but meaningful shift in my perspective, helping me move past the simmering angst.
The rest of our journey wasn’t devoid of challenges, but the intensity of my frustration diminished. Accessing this breath and focus was a small victory, yet it significantly impacted how I experienced the remainder of our adventure.
It’s astonishing how even the tiniest practices of awareness and breath can transform your experiences and help you find solace in the difficulties of everyday life.
This simple yet powerful mindfulness practice inspires me, and I hope it inspires you, too.Â
