The Light Within the Tunnel
Everyone always talks about the light at the end of the tunnel. But why do we count that as proof we’re getting closer to something good? Or at least the end of something bad? I think so many of us have conditioned ourselves to believe we have to travel through the darkness alone, and only once we see that light can we begin to hope we’re almost home free. But what if there were lights along the way? Shimmers of brightness within the tunnel urging us along, providing guidance, assistance, company. Rather than struggling to reach that final light (damn, that brings back childhood nightmares and memories of the movie Poltergeist), what if we had lights along the way to make the dark not so scary. To point out trouble spots we could avoid. To help us navigate pitfalls and speed bumps without twisting an ankle or face-planting in the dirt.
When I hit a particularly rough patch last week, I nearly reverted to my turtle method to hunker down and traverse the dark, insisting I had to do it all myself. Doing it myself would consist of working myself to exhaustion, taking brief breaks to read or sleep. Or both.
In books, I find an escape. And I can convince myself I’m still working because I’m probably ARC, BETA, or proofreading something. So even though it’s work, it’s still not somehow. And it satisfies that part of my brain that is still a little convinced that leisure time is time wasted.
That part of my brain needs to simmer down (and yes, I 100% said that in my head in Tammy’s voice—IYKYK)
But this time, instead of turning turtle, I reached out. I asked for help. Some was physical help with specific tasks, but I also latched on to those offering mental and emotional support. Shoulders to cry on, ears to listen, friendly faces to bounce ideas off of and get feedback from. And wow, did it help!
I’m not completely sure I’ve made it to the other end of the overwhelm tunnel yet, but I don’t feel quite so terrified of getting there anymore. And that’s making the journey through it so much easier.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, who do you read out to? Who are your lights within the tunnel?
