Fun fact: If you try breathing through your anxiety while wearing a mask and glasses, your glasses will fog up.

It was shortly after my new glasses came, and I was having an anxiety attack of the flight variety. I kept jiggling my foot for much of the day, and finally stopped, flexed my foot, and tried the slow, intentional breathing of yoga. Instant fog!

The anxiety was a combination of too many unknowns; the passing of a dear acquaintance; and an innocuous action that triggered a memory of a different, far worse time.

A teacher I had the privilege of knowing passed away recently. While we were not close, she radiated a light to those around her. Her kindness and sweetness and compassion were amazing. Just knowing she is no longer in this world diminishes it. Rest in peace, Nadine Snyder.

The innocuous action was tossing a bag of spare clothes in the car for emergencies. I got flustered when I arrived at work and realized it was on the passenger seat. I hurriedly stuck it in the back. It wasn’t until much later in the day I realized its connection to an emergency bag I used to keep in another car some time ago.

Add these unrelated things to the general worries about school starting, a new schedule, a divorce in progress and a few other more minor things, and my nervous system went into crisis. It wasn’t until I came home in the evening that I was able to sort it all out, and understand why I felt the urge to run all day.

Socially distanced seating meant no one could see my jiggling foot. Hopefully no one noticed the foggy glasses, either.

At least now I know to take my glasses off before trying rhythmic breathing.