Zen

6/9” Acrylic on paper

Some days test your very core, yesterday was one for me. I will spare you the details, basically we had thousands of kids in the museum for a Trunk or Treat event, cute yeah, but I suffer from extreme anxiety from loud noise and overwhelming crowds.

I couldn’t handle it. I tried to close my eyes and breath but the loud noise was too distracting and I couldn’t get away, I was trapped. It was hell. My heart was racing, I felt nauseas, I really thought I might pass out and die. I wish I had the ability to drown out the outside and get to my Zen.

It’s bound to happen again, do you have any tips or advice?

40 replies to “Zen”

  1. Oh, Tiffany! What an awful situation to be in. I used to suffer terribly from anxiety until I decided I was tired of being scared. It wasn’t easy but I forced myself to just face the fear, almost taunting it to bring it on. Eventually the anxiety and panic attacks stopped. This may not be the approach for everyone but it helped me. I wish you all the best! ♡

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      1. Oh Lord, I know! It’s really difficult, especially those times you don’t want anyone else to know what’s going on so you put even more pressure on yourself to act normally and the last thing you’re feeling is ‘normal’! I’m sending good vibes your way and wishing you the best of luck. ♡

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  2. Sounds awful. I have my music to fall back on whenever the “real world” around me makes me feel overwhelmed. I also keep some artwork at my desk or in the back of the room. I escape into those images as well, refocus,and return when I can. 💜🎨 Be well, friend.

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  3. I’m sorry, Tiffany. Somethings are so stinkin’ difficult. And they’re even harder when there’s something about the situation that other people seem to think is… innately excusable (for lack of a better term). I love this yellow and blue painting. Hugs.

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  4. Oh man! That really sucks. I can imagine how much anxiety that would give you. Trunk and Treat sounds awful, but I’ll bet the kids loved it from all the noise that about put you in your grave. You survived to tell the tale, so there’s a slight upside to it all. Sorry I can’t offer advice on how to deal with it. I love the painting.

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      1. That’s enough to drive anyone insane. I don’t know why people feel the need for loud music at events. I went to an alumni homecoming party because I happened to be on campus while Laurie was in class. They had a band playing, and they were way too loud. Most alumni were my age or older and hard of hearing. Needless to say, I did not stay long because there was no way to converse with people.

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  5. So sorry you went through this Tiffany. I had similar feelings when walking through crowded high school hallways or when having to travel on buses with students. A tough one! Focused and deep breathing got me through. Sometimes humming tunes helped. Are you able to listen to soothing music, with even one earbud? That might add to the noise. Of course, knowing ahead of time is helpful, too. Be sure to get plenty of sleep before those events, ground yourself in the morning. 🌅

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    1. Thank you so much my friend! I’m sorry you know what I am talking about. I wasn’t prepared, no one told me anything beforehand how insane it would be, and it was too much noise and chaos all at once. We have a similar event coming up in December, so hopefully I will be better prepared for that one!😉

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  6. Since my accident in January I’ve had panic attacks. I do the breathing trick. Surprisingly it works. Breathe in slowly to the count of 4; hold your breath to the count of 6; release it slowly to the count of 8. It works. Part of its success seems now to come from my knowledge that I can do that. Sometimes I have to do it several times.

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      1. I had a breakthrough yesterday — I got down onto the floor and back up twice. Today, once. It’s amazing how having that power has calmed my soul. Seriously, I get weepy thinking about it. BUT I think the recipe helped me get there. I’m going to go do it again.

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  7. I’m sorry you have to deal with that, Tiffany. If Marsha and Michele’s advice doesn’t work, don’t give up. I’m sure there’s something out there that will.
    🤗 ❤️ Your painting looks super peaceful to me. It’s like one of those ultra-wide-angle fisheye images of a scene. In your painting, I see London’s red buses and skyscrapers.

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  8. I can no longer deal with crowds either. I’m so sorry. I do agree with the suggestions for deep breathing. When I have heart palpitations it always helps.
    And I love your painting. It looks like the sun’s energy reaching out to me. (K)

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  10. My solution would be to run away, which doesn’t help if you’re obliged to be there. Taking a brief time out and doing the breathing methods others have mentioned might be worth trying.

    On the other hand, this painting is gorgeous, both colours and textures!

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    1. Thank you Audrey! You have no idea how much I wanted to run!! But, yes, I was chained to the admittance counter all day, there’s no escape! I managed, barely, at least I know what to expect if I make it to the next time! 😉

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    1. Thank you so much Graham! I would have killed for ear plugs, but I was trying to converse with people so that wouldn’t work. Towards the end of the day, I demanded they turn the volume down and that helped, it really was too loud! (I sound like such an old fart!) 😂

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