Panic! At the Disco? More Like Panic and Paralysis

by Karen Elizaga | Posted: March 6th, 2010 | No Comments »

I am skiing in Sweden this weekend. It is funny to me because it is effectively the first time I’ve skied (save for the bunny slopes I did about 20 years ago). Today was a big lesson for me in panic and paralysis.

We hired a ski instructor today. Cecelia was awesome. Simultaneously encouraging and challenging. But the funny thing was that I got none of this snow plow or pie shape lessons my brother was asking about by text (apparently I missed a big lesson).

In fact, within the first 15 minutes of a seven hour day, I skied down a huge slope (now in retrospect, a green piste). And I PANICKED!! PANICKED.

As I screamed down the hill, heart up in my esophagus, I was petrified. I froze. There was no way I was getting to the bottom without breaking something. Dammit! And my body just stopped doing what it was supposed to do. What was I supposed to do again? Totally blank. Complete paralysis.

Cecelia quickly came to my rescue but as I attempted to get up (multiple times) I thought to myself “how the f*#€£ am I supposed to get through the rest of this day when skiing is so freaking scary??”

I finally made it up and skied down to Jay, and he made a quick comment “yeah once you panic, you’re toast.”

Brilliant. That’s exactly what happened. Toast.

So I decided at that moment that I had to stay in control of my fear and just f-ing believe I could get down the hills.

Panic. Here’s what happens. Either you (1) become paralyzed and stop your progress completely dead in the middle of your tracks, or (2) are paralyzed from the get go and don’t even attempt taking action. Not one step. What good is any of that, and what will you ever accomplish?

I can’t tell you that that first moment was my only panic incident. But for the most part, I managed to keep it all together and ended up sailing down hills I never would have dreamed of. And as I sailed, I actually heard those cowbells from the Olympic downhill skiers! Well, maybe just in my head.

What do you panic about? Do you panic to the point of paralysis – of toast? Does it stop you in the middle of your tracks, or does it stop you before you take even one step?

Today was one of the best days I’ve spent with Jay. Of our entire history. I would have hated for my panic to get in the way.

Recognize your moments of panic. See if you can step around. And them take a look at the bottom of that mountain and believe that you have the control and skill to get down it. Maybe you go slow and you swish back and forth across the mountain. It may not be as fast as a straight shot down the hill but it’s way better than standing still. And make sure to listen for those cowbells.