What makes us feel safe? Here’s my personal and incomplete list:

• reminding myself that I have gotten through shit before and I will certainly get through shit again.
• knowing that I can learn what I need to learn when I need to learn it.
• letting myself cry when I need to
• letting myself express anger when I need to
• deep breathing
• doing a worst-case / best-case / most-likely scenario comparison
• focusing on what I can control
• doing something physically strenuous, like going for a run, climbing a tree, lifting weights, etc.
• shutting out all the noise of things I can’t control (news, social media, opinions, etc.)
• getting cozy and watching a familiar, comforting show or movie
• figuring out what I feel threatened by and saying it out loud
• coming up with a plan (what I will do and say) if the thing I’m afraid of happens
• thinking about the people who love me, support me, and will gladly help me through anything
• talking to one of those people