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cute_spider wrote (edited )

Bob now realizes that he's spiraling again. A lifetime of experience tells Bob that this is an internal reaction, not an external situation. A short meditation helps Bob remember that these are his friends, and not his judges, and that's not okay to be "on" 100% of the time. Bob takes a moment to relax each muscle in his body, starting from his head, traveling down his shoulders and arms, through his back, and finally his arms, legs, hands and feet, fingers and toes. He gently rubs the grease from the olives on his fingertips with his correctly placed lap-napkin. Lapkin. Bob takes a few more moments to listen to his body, and he realizes he is very thirsty! With all the concern about what other people are thinking, Bob realizes that he hasn't drunk any water in hours! Bob takes a generous gulp, takes a few quiet but deep sighs, and feels immensely better. After this short reset, Bob is relaxed, casual, and in good spirits.

Bob decides not to try to force the Lapkin portmanteau at the table.