Before the Pandemic Anxiety was a Stranger on the Bus. 

My nature is to face confront the things I do not want so Anxiety never sat down. He stood holding the pole. I gave Him a withering stare and he jumped off at the next stop. 

Then 2020 happened. During lockdown in the Spring Anxiety sat down next to me on the bus. He was obese and he billowed over of his seat crowding me. He dripped his wet umbrella and he didn’t cover his mouth when he coughed. 

Again I confronted him. At first I elbowed his squishy flesh. Then I pleaded. “Please take another seat!” I looked around. 

The bus was empty. Yet he sat next to me. I yelled “Leave me alone Fatty!” I crawled over the seat and paced the aisle waiting for my stop. 

I’m a do-er.  What can I do? 

Home Alone I started writing. In the lockdown I journaled systematically creating a compendium on quarantine.  

I can’t change the circumstances but I can change the thoughts. I reframed them. 

When They kept appearing- oh I fear I forgot to mention Anxiety invited all his friends to the bus and when I got off they followed me home- So though I was alone in quarantine - my house had unwanted visitors. 

The more I resisted - the more friends Anxiety invited. So I stopped resisting. “Listen Up Anxiety - I accept you are here BUT you’re only allowed to speak at X hour.” By giving him his word he settled down. 

I shifted focus. “I am a human being not a human doing.” 

I did self care, relaxation, mindfulness & breathing. 

I stepped into the present moment. 

When summer came the virus numbers went down and Society allowed us to exit isolation. But Anxiety remained. Some days he was quieter than others. Some days he didn’t speak at all. But he Waited. 

Now Summer turned to Fall- the virus numbers spike again. I fear another lockdown. 

Anxiety talks more loudly- he fights for control. 

You’re all alone. He says. As I walk down empty streets. He plays on insecurities. He taunts. Teases. You’re stuck. No hope. 

I pick up my pen and I write. I now know what to do. I can’t stop Anxiety from coming around. But I can face him. 

You’re a Liar Anxiety. These things you say are just words and words can be edited.

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With its expertise in vintage fashion, it contributes in its own way to the heritage of this emblematic institution, by presenting a very specialized selection from the history of great French fashion designers and brands. More than a country, it's a whole universe to discover in a refined setting. 

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