My Work Trip helped my Anxiety

This past week, I headed to El Paso, TX for a work trip. The one thing I was dreading, was the drive and my anxiety getting in the way.

Before, I traveled all over Texas. As long as I had a playlist, I was good. Then over the past four years, something in me shifted. I was afraid of traveling alone anywhere. My anxiety was already existent, and I had overcome it. But somehow it came back when I traveled. I could never get far out of the city before I had a panic attack.

The week before I left, I prayed, meditated, and did what was necessary to feel better about leaving. But, the anxiety was not giving up. It had a grasp on me so tight; I almost wanted to cancel the trip.

But then, this week, unfortunately, Chuck Norris passed away. Tik Tok had many videos come up about him. One video in particular was meant for me to see. It was an old interview of Chuck Norris talking about how he didn’t worry. The interviewer couldn’t understand why. Chuck Norris responded with “No, it doesn’t do any good. The thing is, let’s say you worry about a problem. So here we are worrying and all the stuff and all of the sudden the problem is solved. All that anguish for nothing. The thing is worry doesn’t solve the problem; it actually hinders the problem.” He said much more, but this, was what hit me like a freight train.

I started watching the video daily to have it ingrained. The truth of the matter, I started to release the worry day by day. I’m a worry wart and have been my entire life. Hearing Chuck Norris daily gave me the strength I didn’t know I lost.

Before I was fearless, traveled anywhere alone, and somewhere, I lost myself. I felt this was a test to prove I was still strong.

On my way to El Paso, I left feeling calm. I sent my husband a text letting him know I was headed out. Usually, the traffic on I20 was horrible and it was clear until I passed Monahans. From there, there were accidents, traffic at a standstill, and the time passed like nobody’s business. The four and half hours it usually takes to arrive took around seven hours.

Normally, this would give me anxiety. I took it in stride and arrived in El Paso less stressed. I called a friend to see if she was available to have dinner. Thankfully she was. She had a work meeting to attend beforehand, and it was perfect timing for me to check into the hotel and freshen up. The drive was long and tiring, but I still had energy to meet a friend.

Once we met up, it was so good to see her. I’ve missed my El Paso friends and getting to hang out with them when I can, is always exciting.

The dinner was full of tears, laughs, memories and catching up. I didn’t know I needed this time with her. It was really a great night.

Heading back to the hotel, the parking downtown was not the greatest. When I finally found a spot, I parallel parked and got my luggage off. It was late at night, and downtown was full of lights. It was a beautiful night. I had not been to El Paso in two years, and being back somehow made me feel at home.

My parents and husband are from Juarez. My siblings and I were born in Midland. Except for my oldest sister, she was lucky enough to be born in Orange County, California.

Growing up, my mother took us to Juarez every summer. We knew the area well and always came to El Paso as well. I’m no stranger to the area. The best thing about being in El Paso is the food. God, I sound like a fatty, but the food is amazing. So many choices to go for.

Once I was in my room, as always, the hotel chain is comfortable and cozy. I was happy when I saw their availability in El Paso. The only thing this room had more than I expected, were windows. I was on the seventh floor. The view was stunning seeing the movement downtown. Even from the restroom, I had a full view of downtown.

The next day, I met with my other co-workers since we had a meeting with a client. One of the things about me, I over prepare with my conversations and practice several scenarios beforehand. Surely, I can’t be the only one who does this.

Meeting one of them for the first time, was not what I expected. She was awesome! We got along so well and had many laughs. I felt like I had known her forever and not just met.

During the meeting, the client made us wait, but for good reason. They were celebrating one of their owns birthday. It’s a beautiful sight to see when companies truly care for their employees.

Once we headed to the meeting, the front receptionist was so sweet. Then meeting with the head departments was a little intimidating since we were walking in blind trying to salvage a big issue other employees left behind.

My co-workers and I spoke with clear and concise clarification on each other’s expectations. There were many services we could offer to lessen the load of their daily stress. Things they didn’t know that could be implemented.

All in all, the meeting went spectacular. We salvaged keeping the business and left as friends.

The day went well afterwards. We had lunch at a taco place where the tacos were incredible! I’m really not into tacos, but let me tell you, the tacos were the best! The beans were really good. The only thing that wasn’t properly cooked was the rice. It was taken off heat too soon because it was crunchy.

Then in the afternoon I had dinner again with my friend and made new friends. One of the waiters asked me if I was Celia, and I clarified who I was. After that, he was so sweet to me and we exchanged numbers. Making friends for me hasn’t always been easy. Our other waiter was also so sweet. The recommendations he provided were outstanding.

Back at the hotel, I called my husband to tell him how well it went the past two days. I had walked more than ever and this is something I missed. I’m so unhealthy right now, the walking gave me a reason to begin my weight loss journey again.

I didn’t sleep well that night due to the noises outside the hotel. In the morning, I wanted to oversleep but instead woke up early to get work done and answer emails. No matter how much I spent working, it seems the emails piled up excessively.

Checking out of the gorgeous hotel was a little sad because it was comfortable and I wish I could have stayed a few more days. At least over the weekend. But I missed my family and was eager to head home.

The drive back was unpleasant. I usually love the clear skies to see the mountains. Not this time. The sky was dimmed with the dirt and heavy wind. There were accidents again and traffic was at a standstill, again.

When I started getting anxious, I decided to play the Chuck Norris video. It helped for the time being to get through the traffic.

All in all, the trip gave me the push I needed to stop being afraid by letting my anxiety win. It’s not easy, but changing the mindset helps.

These past few days was exactly what my mental health needed.

So, I say this, if you’re having a hard time, feeling depressed, anxious, or having crappy feelings about your life, take a trip. Or take the trip your job is offering you to take. Time away from the office is always nice to reset the mind.

I look forward to another trip to El Paso.