how to disarm a highly emotional episode in 12 steps:

S

1. SELF-CARE
soothe yourself in healthy ways

2. STILLNESS
breathe to retain inner calm

3. STRENGTHS
identify the various ways you’ve been strong in the past

T

4. THOUGHTS
reframe self-defeating beliefs into self-affirming ones

5. TRUTH
adhere to an honest and realistic view of your circumstances

6. TRUST
rely on your integrity and ability to see you through

O

7. OBSERVATION
notice details and nuances, strive for mindful awareness

8. OPENNESS
attend to your inner feelings without judgment

9. OWNERSHIP
become the master of your thoughts, actions, life

P

10. POTENTIAL
allow solutions to develop, imagine what is possible

11. PROGRESS
initiate the necessary next steps, recognize and reward small successes

12. PRODUCTIVITY
encourage forward movement and resolution

i’m a reactor by nature.
but i have personally used this method.
very recently, in fact.
while navigating the ever-changing needs of an aging parent.

it works.

so the next time you’re confronted with a stressful event . . .

S.T.O.P.

work through the 12 steps in your mind or on paper.
defuse the difficulty and regain your momentum.

S = Self-care. Stillness. Strengths.

soothe. breathe. identify.

T = Thoughts. Truth. Trust.

reframe. adhere. rely.

O = Observation. Openness. Ownership.

notice. attend. become.

P = Potential. Progress. Productivity.

allow. initiate. encourage.

let me know in the comments below if you try it.
and, of course, share your results as well.