Dr. John A. KingIndigenous Australian. 100% Human. Neo-Noir Novelist. Poet. Speaker. Performance coach. More than a Survivor. Terrible Golfer, Awkward Dancer🕺

Gratitude, Drive, and Escape Plans #substack #shorts

12 Dec 2025 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:02

In this short advice segment, the speaker outlines a three‑part approach to navigating family or social gatherings that may become stressful. First, they recommend entering the event with a grateful and thankful mindset toward friends, family, and the season, using gratitude as a grounding attitude. Second, they advise always driving oneself to the venue, ensuring personal autonomy and the ability to leave quickly if the situation becomes overwhelming. Third, they suggest employing brief “micro‑escapes” such as taking a walk around the block, stepping onto a front deck, smoking, or having a drink, to regulate emotional involvement and maintain personal equilibrium throughout the gathering.

Chapters

to go on top of that with a grateful attitude and a thankful attitude. I am grateful to have these friends. I am grateful to have these family members. I am grateful to have people at this season. And that underpins everything I do. I go there with that attitude and I extend that grace and that gratitude going in there. The third thing, fourth thing is I always drive. I always take my own car. I don't want to go somewhere. Aunt Dotty is getting hammered on sherry and Christmas cake and pudding, and she's out of control. I don't want to do that. So I always drive. I make sure I drive. I take myself so I can leave if I've got to. Number 3 is, you know, feel free to go for a walk, or number 5, whatever we're up to, is feel free to go for a walk around the block. Take yourself outside to the front deck. Go outside and have a smoke if you smoke. Go outside and have a beverage if you've got a beverage in hand, more that you're regulating your emotional involvement and engagement with the room accordingly as you go.