Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, challenges and triumphs. Every obstacle we encounter serves as an opportunity for growth and learning. It might not seem that way when we're stuck in a hard situation, but there's always a way out. We have the power within us to conquer even the toughest of challenges.
I want to share a time when I had a tough experience and how I learned to deal with it. I was on a family trip in Taiwan. What should have taken an hour turned into six because of a huge traffic jam. I was in the last row of a small car, stuck in a tunnel. Suddenly, I felt scared of being closed in, like claustrophobic. My heart raced, my hands and feet turned icy, and panic took over. I was paralyzed by fear, unable to even call for help.
But I remembered something I learned about fear and how to handle it. I thought of a way to calm down by using a breathing trick combined with the number 8. I breathed in and out in counts of 8. After trying this a few times, it helped me relax. I used a similar trick when I had to fly back home, where I drew squares on an airsick bag and did the breathing trick.
Still, my journey to feeling better wasn't over. Back home, I still felt uneasy when the sun set and couldn't sleep without lights. Medical tests showed an irregular result, eventually diagnosed as an anxiety attack by doctor in hospital. To get better, I seek professional help. Slowly, I felt stronger. I knew I had to face my fears, so I asked my husband to drive me around places that scared me, like tunnels with traffic.
With professional assistance and my commitment to overcome this challenge, I improved within a month. Later, I went to Japan and faced a similar situation – a traffic jam in a tunnel. But this time, I felt more confident. I remembered what I learned and faced the challenge with courage. This journey changed me into a stronger person.
Remember, my way might not work for everyone. If you're going through something like this, it's good to talk to professionals who can help. Everyone's journey is different. Facing challenges can make you stronger. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can overcome anything.