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2/7 Everyone freaks out sometimes. Freaking out is a normal part of life. Remember when A, B, and C told you about their freak-outs? It's not a weakness to freak out. You're simply human.

3/7 How can you make mental room to figure things out? Maybe you don't know how to resolve things right away, but give yourself permission to eliminate certain obligations. Like maybe don't worry about responding to e-mails today, or doing the dishes.

4/7 How can you give your body what it needs? Fresh air? A run to get dopamines in your brain? Don't shirk on sleep if sleeping less puts you in a worse mental state. Drop some mental obligations, but don't drop the physical ones!

5/7 What fear is really truly at the root of this freak out? Usually, it's some variation of: a) I'm afraid I'll fail / am failing b) I'm letting X down If I cannot stare in the mirror and name this fear to myself, it lingers. Sometimes for weeks, months or years.

6/7 Who can I admit these fears to that can help me? I have found no better remedy for fear than to expose them to others via words. The first step is usually finding someone close to me and letting myself be vulnerable enough to reveal the entirety of my mess.

7/7 What am I in control of? Of those, how can I act in a way that makes my future self proud? I can't control how other people feel or whether outcome X happens. But I can control my actions. Usually, this takes the form of admitting my fears to those who can best help me.

*Bonus: Visualize how Peg freaks out in every episode of Peg + Cat.

@PegPlusCatTV

is a pre-school show on PBS that my kids and I adore. Peg will say: "I am totally freaking out!" and wiggle her body as dramatic music plays. I love this and now use the phrase all the time.