Not long ago, a simple 5-minute drive to the store felt like an undoable challenge. I'd would plan for traffic and pack every reassuring object into the car, just in case. Today, I found myself driving over an hour away from the city, deep in the middle of nowhere. It's incredible how much easier it is to accept panic than to try and fight it. My brain used to trick me into thinking that worrying would somehow improve the situation, but in reality, the key was simply to start moving. The mind is remarkably good at accompanying you wherever you go, and those endless "what ifs" become far more distant when you're actually behind the wheel, rather than just sitting at home contemplating the drive. With some loud music playing, a wave of euphoria washed over me. I felt completely safe, knowing that if I somehow were to feel unsafe, I'd figure it out if and when that happens.
