March 2024 SOLC–Day 18
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Last week, Rob Walker’s post appeared in my Inbox. It was entitled, “Attention vs. Anxiety” In it he talked a bit about the relationship between attention and anxiety, and shared a prompt that can address both, by grounding you in the moment. It’s called a 5-4-3-2-1 prompt and I realized this morning, when I woke up, already wound tight about the week of teaching and conferences ahead, that I could use something grounding.
5 things you see:
- The cat’s eyes peer through the window. It’s still dark out, but the interior light spills out and she’s clearly visible. A ball of furred want and need. She does this all day long –begs to get out and then pleads to return. I let her in, knowing that I can’t focus with those eyes staring at me, even when I try not to make contact. Soon she’ll be clawing to get out again.
- The overhead light in the kitchen spills interesting striped shadows through the back of the island chairs. They contort from floor, over radiator, and partway up the wall.
- The outdoor plant I opted to make a houseplant is blooming. The petals are lilac-hued, veined with deep purple and they have a soft yellow center.The initial buds are tiny, spiraling up on a long stalk, and then the showy blossom emerges. It’s inconceivable how it was all tucked away in such a tiny space.
- A picture of my three young children in Mexico is propped on my desk. They are all independent adults now. I take a moment to trace their long-ago features with my eyes. Drink in the sight of them. Feel pulled from the here into the then.
- The shell on my desk is half hidden behind the action figure of John Smith of Disney Pocahontas fame. My children played for hours with the latter. I can almost hear the refrain of “Colors of the Wind” as I remember. The shell, collected long ago from some beach, was once a home. Now, my eyes often linger on its spiral, following its path over and over.
4 things you feel:
- Beneath me, the hard wooden contour of the chair supports my weight. It must be a thankless job to be a chair.
- My coffee mug, heavy in my hands, radiates warmth. I pause momentarily to feel it seep into my palms, then put it down and return to typing.
- The air is cool on my cheeks. We didn’t stoke the fire last night, so it’s chillier than usual in the room.
- My robe is warm and soft against my neck. It was a gift from my son and daughter-in-law. It was one of those things you didn’t even know you wanted which then becomes indispensable. The best kind of gift.
3 things you hear:
- The burning wood, wet from some recent rains, is whistling in the wood stove. A mini steam kettle in action.
- Our other cat passes behind me, her nails click click click on the wooden floor. There’s a sudden rollicking galloping thumping as the two cats briefly chase and tumble through the room.
- From the kitchen I hear the steady tick tick tick of the clock. (It doesn’t make me feel grounded.)
2 things you smell:
- There’s a whiff of sulphur in the air, from the match I struck not too long ago to light the fire.
- The scent of coffee lingers. From the pot. From the cup beside me. I realize that coffee, brewing in the morning, fulfills all these sensory categories.
1 thing you taste:
- Ah, yes, coffee. I take another sip of my strong coffee, splashed with some milk, and savor it. It’s mostly decaffeinated, but still I anticipate that first sip every morning. It’s taste will linger until I wash it away with a bubble and scrub of mint toothpaste. Another flavor to savor.
Great structure that helps really explore your surroundings. I hope it made you feel a little grounded! You gave me a taste of so many little things that could all be expanded into slices. It’s amazing what you notice when you pause for a moment. I wonder if this practice will help in the middle of the day?
LikeLike
Such a well-written post. I loved the structure, but the way you expanded upon each idea made this so interesting. This seems like not only a wonderful way to relieve anxiety, but also a wonderful way to practice writing craft and generate ideas. I’ll be trying this out very soon. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I love this idea. I sent it to Mark Gross at KGUA Writers as a possible free write. I am going to keep it in my inbox and give it a shot for a future blog. Thanks for the idea.
LikeLike
This is a cool approach to calming, centering, grounding. I wonder if you could mix them up and do 5 things hear, 4 things you feel, 3 things you smell, 2 things you taste and 1 thing you see (or some other variety). I just might try it! Thanks for sharing, Molly!
LikeLike
I love the idea of channeling this grounding exercise into writing! Thank you for the inspiration and the reminder to slow down and just be sometimes.
LikeLike
I hadn’t thought about taking this grounding exercise and transforming into writing either, but I really like it and am bookmarking it to try later this month. Of course I loved the entry about the cat–so very cat to want out, then in, then out….. So much beautiful writing in this piece as well…
LikeLike