“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the biggness of issues that I care most about, especially given today’s political climate in the United States. Education. LGBTQIA+ rights. Women’s rights. Black Lives Matter. Healthcare. Global warming. Just typing this list, I can feel my blood pressure rising and paralysis setting in. When this happens, I find it most helpful to get back to the basics. The basics can then guide my very next move and motivate me to action. And it doesn’t get much more basic than this suggestion from Thich Nhat Hanh Sanga.
Emily P.G. Erickson is a freelance writer specializing in mental health and parenting. She has written for major digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Parents, Romper, WIRED, and more. Emily is a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ). Formerly a mental health researcher, Emily also holds a master's degree in psychology. You can find the latest from Emily at www.emilypgerickson.com.
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