Unnecessary Anxiety

You can let it go

On a recent drive with my son, he was behind the wheel, and I was riding shotgun. It was raining hard, traffic was heavy, and I — unintentionally, of course — was being a nervous “backseat driver.”

A few helpful pointers may have slipped out of my mouth.

Without taking his eyes off the road (where they firmly belonged), he said, “You know, I wasn’t anxious before. Now I am.”

Fair point!

Then he gently reminded me, still looking straight ahead, “You do realize I just drove for two weeks in South Africa, in a rented car, on the other side of the road?”

With a steady voice, he added, “I think I’ve got this.”

Of course, he did.

“Yes, you do,” I agreed, settling back into my place as the passenger.

We hadn’t been together an hour at that point — it’s funny how quickly my old “mom hat” slips right back on, even after months of watching him navigate so much of life with growing confidence — without me. My own jittery energy had nowhere else to land but on him — which was entirely unnecessary.

What struck me most was the quiet role reversal. He was now the one calming me down.

It’s a strange comfort, watching your child hold steady as you wobble. A little humbling, yes, but also a beautiful reminder: they’re more ready than we think.

And we have less control than we want.

Sometimes, we’re the ones who need to let go — of the wheel, of expectations, of the unnecessary anxiety.

If you're looking for a reminder to lean into a little discomfort, let go, and trust where your life is taking you — this is it.

With love and gratitude,

xoxo
Kit

P.S. July Holistic Acupuncture sessions are available — you can make your own appointment here.