Thank you so much. I have cPTSD on top of my physical disabilities and this constant state of hypervigilism is exhausting. I've been working hard on noticing when my shoulders are up by my ears and my whole body is tense, but I feel like that 99% of the time so it's really tough. I'm constantly holding my breath and I had no idea why, but now I do. Thank you for being a voice of reason during this chaos ❤️
I have that too, among other things. Something I've found helpful is the Serenity Prayer, which was actually taken from Classical Stoicism (which I've studied for decades). Stoic philosophy is not like "Mr. Spock." Its about understanding and controlling how we think about and cope with the challenges in life. It's helped me cope with what's going on.
There are good reasons (forgive the pun) that regimes and churches don't want citizens to read Philosophy.
It is heartening to read that the Serenity Prayer has been such a reliable anchor for you. I read some Stoic works earlier in life, but didn't realise the Prayer had Stoic roots — your practice obviously has real depth.
Your observation about institutions being wary of philosophy is a sharp one. When we learn to cultivate our own internal resilience, we become much harder to knock off balance.
Thank you for this. Classical stoicism is not something I'm at all familiar with, but I'll go read about it now. In the past, I've found the philosophical side of Buddhism comforting. Something my therapist told me the other day (from Buddhism) is "don't suffer twice" when it comes to anxiety/worry. Easier said than done but it's an interesting thing to think about.
Faith in something I can't see just doesn't work for me (theistic religions). I'm a very analytical person so classical stoicism sounds very interesting! Thank you again. Wishing you well through this turbulence.
Faith didn't work for me because I can't accept belief without evidence. I'm pretty analytical too. Accepting things by blind faith just seems an open invitation to be fooled.
I wish you well, too. Together, we'll get through this.
You’re welcome, A. — as I hold you in my heart. It was very warming to read your message. When we express gratitude like this, it does more than just offer a kind word — it actively changes the environment of the page for everyone else.
Thank you for helping to build a space where we can all feel safe enough to be honest about our struggles. That collective sense of safety is a tangible way we can help each other stay steady when things feel so uncertain. 💔 ❤️💖❤️🩹❣️
i feel a lot of guilt about taking this information you so kindly and generously provide without providing compensation, which i just don’t have. i know that the shame is probably some capitalism garbage living in my brain, but i do want you to know how much i appreciate you. 🫶 in the last few years i have endured some harrowing medical abuse. then seeing everything i care about being ripped apart has made healing very difficult and slow. my dog has become an emotional support animal on her own. when she hears me sigh or my breathing changes she comes to comfort me. it’s frustrating when i’m trying to finish something irritating, but when i’m actually upset it feels like a miracle. your work and the work of others here has really helped as well and i can’t thank you enough.
You’re welcome, Lunafaer. It is interesting how we often struggle to accept a gift when it comes from a distance, no? If a dear friend saw us struggling and offered their support, we would likely accept it as a gesture of kindness without a second thought. Why, then, should it feel any different when that care comes from a stranger? There is no debt to be paid for a hand that is simply held out to help. But if it helps to assuage that niggling feeling, know that gratitude is, in itself, a form of reciprocity. If the intent is to support, and that support is received with gratitude returned, then the circle is complete.
I'm sorry you've gone through such challenges. I empathise, I know how that is. But I'm happy you have your dog — she sounds like a wonderful teacher in the art of noticing. She is responding to the very physical "pings" — the sighs and the changes in breath — that I have been writing about this week. Even when it feels frustrating because you are trying to get through a task, she is acting as a mirror for your internal state. She is picking up on your somatic signature before you have even consciously registered it yourself.
I'm not suprised Virginia — the jaw is like a "stress warehouse", and pound-for-pound, it's the strongest muscle in the human body.
When you notice pressure there, try the "N-position": Say the letter "N" out loud. Notice where your tongue goes (the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth). Keep your tongue there and let your lower jaw hang heavy. This naturally prevents the teeth from touching.
It is good to know that this approach resonates with your experience, especially given your work with people navigating such high-stakes environments. We often try to think our way out of stress, but as you noted, our bodies usually have the first word. Tension in the jaw is such a clear indicator of the pressure to remain composed.
By starting with the body, we are acknowledging the truth of our experience rather than simply trying to intellectualise it. It makes the work of staying steady feel far more attainable when things around us are uncertain.
Thank you so much. I have cPTSD on top of my physical disabilities and this constant state of hypervigilism is exhausting. I've been working hard on noticing when my shoulders are up by my ears and my whole body is tense, but I feel like that 99% of the time so it's really tough. I'm constantly holding my breath and I had no idea why, but now I do. Thank you for being a voice of reason during this chaos ❤️
I have that too, among other things. Something I've found helpful is the Serenity Prayer, which was actually taken from Classical Stoicism (which I've studied for decades). Stoic philosophy is not like "Mr. Spock." Its about understanding and controlling how we think about and cope with the challenges in life. It's helped me cope with what's going on.
There are good reasons (forgive the pun) that regimes and churches don't want citizens to read Philosophy.
It is heartening to read that the Serenity Prayer has been such a reliable anchor for you. I read some Stoic works earlier in life, but didn't realise the Prayer had Stoic roots — your practice obviously has real depth.
Your observation about institutions being wary of philosophy is a sharp one. When we learn to cultivate our own internal resilience, we become much harder to knock off balance.
I just wish that I had found it earlier in my life. I would have been spared a lot of unnecessary suffering. All of my own making.
Thank you for this. Classical stoicism is not something I'm at all familiar with, but I'll go read about it now. In the past, I've found the philosophical side of Buddhism comforting. Something my therapist told me the other day (from Buddhism) is "don't suffer twice" when it comes to anxiety/worry. Easier said than done but it's an interesting thing to think about.
Faith in something I can't see just doesn't work for me (theistic religions). I'm a very analytical person so classical stoicism sounds very interesting! Thank you again. Wishing you well through this turbulence.
Faith didn't work for me because I can't accept belief without evidence. I'm pretty analytical too. Accepting things by blind faith just seems an open invitation to be fooled.
I wish you well, too. Together, we'll get through this.
Thank you, Lori, for your generous work on the behalf of others. I for one will remain deeply grateful and always hold you in my heart💔 ❤️💖❤️🩹❣️
You’re welcome, A. — as I hold you in my heart. It was very warming to read your message. When we express gratitude like this, it does more than just offer a kind word — it actively changes the environment of the page for everyone else.
Thank you for helping to build a space where we can all feel safe enough to be honest about our struggles. That collective sense of safety is a tangible way we can help each other stay steady when things feel so uncertain. 💔 ❤️💖❤️🩹❣️
i feel a lot of guilt about taking this information you so kindly and generously provide without providing compensation, which i just don’t have. i know that the shame is probably some capitalism garbage living in my brain, but i do want you to know how much i appreciate you. 🫶 in the last few years i have endured some harrowing medical abuse. then seeing everything i care about being ripped apart has made healing very difficult and slow. my dog has become an emotional support animal on her own. when she hears me sigh or my breathing changes she comes to comfort me. it’s frustrating when i’m trying to finish something irritating, but when i’m actually upset it feels like a miracle. your work and the work of others here has really helped as well and i can’t thank you enough.
You’re welcome, Lunafaer. It is interesting how we often struggle to accept a gift when it comes from a distance, no? If a dear friend saw us struggling and offered their support, we would likely accept it as a gesture of kindness without a second thought. Why, then, should it feel any different when that care comes from a stranger? There is no debt to be paid for a hand that is simply held out to help. But if it helps to assuage that niggling feeling, know that gratitude is, in itself, a form of reciprocity. If the intent is to support, and that support is received with gratitude returned, then the circle is complete.
I'm sorry you've gone through such challenges. I empathise, I know how that is. But I'm happy you have your dog — she sounds like a wonderful teacher in the art of noticing. She is responding to the very physical "pings" — the sighs and the changes in breath — that I have been writing about this week. Even when it feels frustrating because you are trying to get through a task, she is acting as a mirror for your internal state. She is picking up on your somatic signature before you have even consciously registered it yourself.
Thank you Lori. I found the body awareness info very helpful.
You're very welcome Bc — I'm glad you found it helpful.
You are wonderful for writing a piece like this.
I'm glad you found it helpful, Pasqual.
Of course. I thought it was great. It was wonderful.
Thank you beautiful.
You're welcome Pasqual.
Appreciate you and all you do.
And thank you beautiful.
You’re welcome.
My jaw! That’s where my tension and anger manifest.
I'm not suprised Virginia — the jaw is like a "stress warehouse", and pound-for-pound, it's the strongest muscle in the human body.
When you notice pressure there, try the "N-position": Say the letter "N" out loud. Notice where your tongue goes (the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth). Keep your tongue there and let your lower jaw hang heavy. This naturally prevents the teeth from touching.
Wow: so simple! My jaw does the same as Virginia's.
It is good to know that this approach resonates with your experience, especially given your work with people navigating such high-stakes environments. We often try to think our way out of stress, but as you noted, our bodies usually have the first word. Tension in the jaw is such a clear indicator of the pressure to remain composed.
By starting with the body, we are acknowledging the truth of our experience rather than simply trying to intellectualise it. It makes the work of staying steady feel far more attainable when things around us are uncertain.