You dread those days when “everything” sucks!
Bad news everywhere.
And then, your phone rings.
It’s that person. The one who always brings drama.
You haven’t even answered yet, and your stomach’s already tight. Ulcer loading!
You know how this is gonna go.
They talk. You absorb.
Somehow, you end up feeling like the idiot or bad guy in a story you didn’t write.
Here’s a different move.
Keep a little object nearby.
A coin.
A ring.
A smooth stone.
Whatever feels solid in your hand. I have a medallion that indicates I donated 150 units of blood! I use that.
When their name pops up, don’t answer.
Grab that thing.
Twirl it.
Let it be your ritual.
Picture this:
Your boss, 4:57 p.m. on a Friday.
Last time he called, it ruined your whole weekend.
Now?
You grab the medallion.
It says:
BREATHE.
REGROUP.
EVALUATE.
TACTICAL DELAY.
You spin it a few times.
You breathe.
You pause.
Then, maybe you call back.
Or you email instead.
Or you wait till Monday.
But the key?
You didn’t walk straight into the storm.
You chose your entry.
And it’s almost hilariously subversive in a world that celebrates “instant response” as virtue. You’d be cultivating the art of the sacred pause.
Takeaway:
- Not every call deserves an instant answer.
- A small ritual can protect your peace.
- Physical anchors help emotional clarity.
- You’re allowed to delay. That’s not weakness, it’s strategy.
MATT
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Love it all, but loved this the most:
“But the key?
You didn’t walk straight into the storm.
You chose your entry.”
Thank you for the key!
Norah, thanks so much for the great feedback. I used to practice this all the time—I even have a medallion to remind me! But like most people, I sometimes forget to follow my own advice. You’re absolutely right: this approach really does help in the middle of a storm.
One trick I’ve also found super helpful for when I do take the call, Isometimes say, “Sorry folks, give me one minute!” That brief pause gives me a chance to breathe deeply, drink some water, and reset. That little “secret delay” makes a big difference! Funny thing, it also helps the others in the call to get their bearings!
I find it best not to take the call, but send a text based message asking them to put it in writing if it is urgent. I will say something like not able to talk at the moment, but I can read a WhatsApp text message and get back to you. Then depending on what it is I will most likely reach out via email ha ha ha Slow it down a bit. And also, many people in my part of the world, do not want to put things in writing ha ha ha
This approach also works like a charm. And even then, I think VERY carefully about the things I will text back! I’ve learned, succinctness works for me. Often, in text chat I also used to “over-explain!” I twiddle my medallion, and often erase half the stuff I wrote!