I learned a new phrase today. The Google can be so informative.
“Functional freeze.”
A functional freeze is a defensive survival response that may make a person feel immobile, but is also oftentimes associated with feelings of panic, such as confusion or fear of losing control.
Immobilized by the inertia.
Outwardly functioning, yet emotionally paralyzed.
Simple tasks are of gargantuan proportions.
Feeling congratulatory for changing my outfit.
Making pancakes for the kids, but eating a chocolate chip cookie for lunch because I used all my energy to make the pancakes, and, hey, I deserve that cookie for getting out of my pjs.
Not to worry. I promise I’m not staying here, in this “functional freeze.”
And, if you’re in one yourselves, I hope you feel seen. I hope you find strength and support to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Force yourself to do the little things that bring you joy.
For me, today, those little things were putting on these bright “festival” pants, my big beaded earrings, wearing eyeliner for the first time in over three weeks and treating myself to an oat chai and some Internet at the Ingles. 
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