*WARNING: Lots of shit in this post!
Hi there, I was chatting with my brother the other day (shout out to Chris who is 15 months alcohol free!) and he shared a moment when he got a strong craving to drink. Seemingly out of the blue. It was one of those after work days, no one was around, and a beer sounded like a good idea. He realized he was having an oh shit moment and he needed a pull cord or an oh shit handle to hang onto to ride it out. For those who are wondering what the heck an oh shit handle really is here’s your handy Urban Dictionary definition: oh shit handle [noun] The handle in most passenger vehicles and trucks that is located in the interior of the vehicle above the door. Used in extreme driving situations where passengers do not wish to be thrown about the interior of the vehicle. Situations that warrant the usage of the "oh shit handle" include hard braking, abrupt cornering, skidding, careening off bridge. It is usually considered polite for driver to warn passengers before they feel obligated to use the "oh shit handle" Me: "Mike, I am going to take the 25 mph turn at 55... better grab the oh shit handle!" Mike: "I've been holding the oh shit handle since you started the car!"
Back to Chris and his oh shit handle. His go to if he has a craving is telling himself he can have a burger and fries. I should add he is a vegetarian, so this is way out of his usual dietary plan. But it’s a treat enough and maybe even naughty enough that it works as an oh shit handle. I think, for many of us, drinking has been our oh shit handle. Layoff at work- grab a drink. Kids melting down- grab a drink. Fight with your partner- grab a drink. It’s time to find a new handle.
What is your oh shit handle? When a craving strikes? When you're feeling anxious? When you’re angry? When you’re sad? When the car of life seems to be careening towards a bridge? Keep it simple and accessible. Maybe it’s as simple as food. Maybe it’s box breathing. Maybe it’s screaming into a pillow. Maybe it’s a phone call or text to a friend. Just make sure you have an oh shit handle to hang onto when life gets bumpy.
Let me know if you have any questions, need help or have your own oh shit handle.
Free oh shit handles from ATP: