The Show Must Go On! Love and Faith, Fear and Anxiety

By Carol McCormick, Storyteller

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“Be the peace you want to see in the world.” ~ Ghandi

Which is lovely, though some days I’d settle for being the person who

remembers why I walked into the kitchen. ~ Carol McCormick

Lately, I find myself not exactly in the present moment. I have a hard time focusing. I’m easily

distracted, often forgetful, and far too skilled at doom scrolling. My anger flares up. My actions feel uncertain - like I’m climbing a mountain wearing flip flops.

Some of this might be because my sleep is disturbed. I wake up in the middle of the night, then lie there staring into the darkness as my brain circles worry around a drain like it’s training for the Anxiety Olympics. Instead of dreaming peacefully, my mind runs through worst-case scenarios.

I keep asking myself: How can I share entertaining and inspirational stories with audiences

when I feel so unbalanced?

How can I offer safety and respite when the world feels terrified? - When fear and grief are

everywhere?

How do I rise above my own worries so I can plant seeds for a brighter future and help nurture a safe, caring community?

I found some answers when I reviewed my intentions for 2026.

Meditation: Essential, Not Optional

Daily meditation practice is crucial for my mental health. It brings me back into my body and

out of the mental doom spiral. Whenever I tell myself, “I don’t have time,” the universe replies, “Oh yes, you do. It will cost you more time if you don’t, because you’ll worry more and not be present.”

Community = Safety

Safety decreases my anxiety. My storyteller community — built on story sharing — is a kind and caring safe space. I need to Zoom with other storytellers more often. Because sometimes the best medicine is talking with people who understand that stories save lives and answer important questions.

Sometimes I Must Simply Hide Under a Blanket

Sometimes I have to ignore what’s happening in the world — curl up under a soft throw, hug

my friends and husband, read a good book, watch a movie, or take a meandering walk in

Nature. I call this “strategic retreat.” Not avoidance. Just… emotional Wi-Fi buffering.

Grounding Tools (Literal and Fashionable)

I feel more present when I put hematite grounding stones in my pockets or wear my copper

bracelet. (Apparently, my nervous system responds well to accessories.) Also, wearing comfy

clothes that have seen battle and singing to myself amps up my courage. Nothing says “I can face the world” like sweatpants and a favorite song.

Move the Body, Calm the Mind

I need to recommit to daily walking and exercising. Anxiety lives in my body. When I don’t

move, it builds up like unwashed laundry. Movement helps me metabolize what I’m carrying, physically and emotionally.

Winter Makes Me Snacky and Slightly Bear-Like

In winter, I feel groggy, snacky, and sluggish. So I’m trying to get 10 minutes of outdoor sunlight first thing in the morning. Steven Gundry, M.D. says sunlight isn’t just for vitamin D - it helps regulate metabolism. Morning light tells my body: Wake up. Burn energy. Stop craving a second breakfast like a hobbit.

The Weight Thing

Alas, I’ve gained weight these past winter months. I catch myself eating mindlessly at the computer, craving sugar and fat, and eating late at night. In winter, I’m more alert at night and less hungry in the morning - which means my body wants dinner at 9 PM and breakfast never. Eating late throws off my blood sugar and disrupts fat-burning overnight, so I’m aiming to finish my last meal at least three hours before bed, meaning: fewer midnight snacks.

Small Daily Acts of Hope

I will do one kind deed every day. Share funny and beautiful things on Facebook. Post hopeful articles. Recommend books that bolster courage. Because joy is not frivolous. It’s resistance.

I hope these ideas help you care for yourself, too. As the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone used to say: “We all do better when we all do better.”

And maybe, together, we can keep showing up, telling stories, sharing laughter, and choosing love over fear.

Because truly…The show must go on.

https://www.carolmccormick.net