The sky was so red this morning, it looked like the forest was on fire.
I woke up this morning to a tornado watch (red sky at morning, sailor take warning). It was no surprise. Yesterday was 70° – tomorrow’s forecast calls for snow. There’s so much energy in a transition like that. “Conditions are favorable for severe weather.”
I wish my consciousness were evolved enough to issue emotional weather alerts … conditions are favorable for severe bitchiness. There would be levels of alerts: The Watch, The Warning, and The Seek Shelter NOW!
With just a little more focused attention, this just might work. After all, I have over fifty years of “storm watching” experience!
Conditions like overworking and neglected self-care would certainly prompt a “watch.”
And any major holiday is good for a warning or two.
Even good things, like vacations, can create a flurry of activity that can easily escalate to storm proportions. There’s usually at least one squall accompanying any trip that involves air travel. I know this about myself.
I’m thinking this would make a great app for my smart phone! It could be integrated with the calendar. Just a few individualized profile settings and I could not only receive high alerts on my phone, I could have them sent to my family members, too.
Overworked Mom Warning … remove boots before walking on carpet.
Restless Wife Watch … approach with caution.
My husband reminded me this morning that he and our son have had a coded alert system for many years. Oh, I remember now: “BAM Alert!” they would whisper to each other, signaling the need to steer clear until the storm passed.
Getting to know and take care of our own physical and emotional needs is such an important life skill. I don’t really need a phone app. I can feel it in my body when conditions are favorable for severe emotions.
The difference between a storm of fear and a tornado is that it does no good to run face first into a tornado. But facing fears head-on . . . well, it’s the only thing that does help.
Coach Barbie Dallmann 
I have always loved weather and love your photo Barbie!! One of the most helpful things I’ve finally become aware of is my own internal barometer. Whether its related to how I’m feeling physically or emotionally, I pay more attention to early warning ‘conditions.’ It seems much easier to manage life when I pay attention to myself first and also the conditions around me.
PS I’ll definitely buy your app!!
Oh Barbie, I love this post and I think my family needs the app too! I had a wonderful laugh as I identified with your words. Thank you!
I want that app….
I love this post! I try to be aware of conditions, but then they start changing, and it gets to be a long list 🙂 Also, they actually ARE coming out with an app that will sense an episode of upcoming depression! I saw it on some show I think, or a news site. It basically tracks your activities and things, and when you start to go out less and talk to fewer people and things like that, it senses that you may be falling into a depression..it was something like that. Maybe there would be one for other types of familiar mind states too!
Wow, Jennifer! i had no idea there was actually an app like that. Thanks for sharing.
haha yeah, it’s not really out on the market yet- i think they were saying it was like the ‘future of smartphones’ or something