The Little Things I Do in the Car to Feel Okay Again

 

There are days when I’m on my way somewhere…

and I can already feel it.

That quiet tightening in my chest.
That sense that something is just a little too much… even before I get there.

It doesn’t always make sense.

Sometimes I’m just going to the mall.
Somewhere I’ve been before. Somewhere familiar.

But ever since that day a few weeks ago during vacation… 

my body remembers.

Even when my mind tells me I’m fine.

So I’ve learned not to ignore it.

Not to push through it like nothing’s happening.

Instead… I stay with myself.

Right there in the car.

I don’t try to “fix” the feeling.

I just do small things that help my body calm down…

before I step out into the world.

Because I’ve learned this the hard way:

If I take care of myself before I get there…

everything feels a little easier once I do.

And these are the little things I do…

when I need to feel okay again.

Apply hand lotion and nail cream 

Applying hand lotion in the car is one of my rituals. This lotion in particular has a very good calming effect on me. I apply it on my hands and then inhale the scent. 

After that, I use this nail cream over each nail. This motion, rubbing cream on each nail gently, slowly, is also very grounding. 

Spray Evian

In order to stay calm, I need to stay cool. So I always have this bottle with me wherever I go. I spray all around my neck, nape, and arms. 

Sip water

Sometimes when I feel anxious, I feel sick. And a sip of ice water always helps. I never go out without my bottle. 

Talk to my son or listen to music

I distract myself by talking to my son about whatever comes to mind. Maybe I’ll comment about the scenery. Maybe about a game or the song playing. 

Sometimes I look out the window and name things that I see. 

Look at my feet

When it becomes too much, I look at my feet or the floor to anchor myself. I hold on to something and breathe through the anxiety. 

I’ve dealt with anxiety before, many years ago. 

And I know that by taking baby steps, I can overcome it again. 

I’m not broken. 

Just adjusting. 

And healing. 

If you also get anxiety attacks, I feel for you. It’s hard, it’s tiring, sometimes it’s embarrassing to deal with it especially if it happens in public, but you’ve got this. 

We’ve got this, Glow Girl. 

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'Til my next post,

Stay soft. Stay strong. Stay Glowing.

LET'S GLOW.

With elegance and quiet fire, 

Lady E

Exhibitor and speaker at the Philippine Book Festival 2026

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