Hi, self. This is yourself talking, back when we were thinking more clearly. This is a guide I made for you, because you're in the middle of a panic attack, or a cycle of worry compounding on itself downward, or some other nausea-induced or kidney-stone beleaguered or even pushing into suicide territory.

We want to foremostly remember the Slough of Despond from John Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress” right now. Do you recall when the main character fell into the muck, and could hardly make sense of the situation, had little sense of direction, and felt like there was no escape? This character felt around with feet, and realized there were big blocks down there, to get a good foothold. Those blocks were put there by people who had also been through the slough (rhymes with cow), and this guide is one of those blocks. I've been thru your situation, and came back out of it. Feel your feet around and find the blocks to stand on. The blocks go up from the middle, if you can press on them like steps. We can get out of this horrible situation, but we've got to move to do it. Even if you can't move your body, move your brain to a different place. We can do this. We've done it before. The fact that I'm writing to you, from having just come from it, is all the proof you need.

If you can, open the front door and look outside. Fresh air presents a bunch of new variables, and there's a decent chance there could be birds out at the feeder we made. Let's put some seed out if there isn't any out there. It may take them a long time to get there after you put it out, but this small task can help us a bunch to accomplish something apart from, and despite, the yucks.

Think of something pretty. Let's look at the pretty things, the wonderful things, the little beautiful things. There are a bunch of pretty things pinned up in the bathroom. Think of the little cardinals from around the neighborhood, if they're not outside right now. Think about Trim, the super bird. Think about the squishy bears teleporting. Think about finding a little painted rock on your trail. Think about picking from the Satori mountain after the Blood Moon. Think about finding an Asimov book at a thrift shop. Think about finding another scratch ticket on the hike. Think about finding the perfect yellow and the perfect green for the hydrant.

If you can, try to drink some water. If you have lemonade, dilute it and sip on it. Remember mom saying, “I'll wait.” Socks for supper? Remember mom handing you squishy bears while you were half asleep and you identifying each one by feel alone.