Waiting-in-Line
I have a strong aversion to waiting in line. I know I'm not the only one who has this affliction. It's very common. I actually miss out on many things in life because I so dislike waiting in line. I see people lined up to get into a concert or to get into a highly desired restaurant and I am literally repulsed. I hate going to restaurants that don't take reservations out of fear that I might have to wait for a table. I've had a few opportunities to go to Disneyland and one of the things that keeps me from going is the fear of having to wait in a long line. I specifically got Global Entry so that I have TSA pre-check when I fly and go through passport control faster when I come home. In short, there is a long list of ways that I organize my life around avoiding waiting in lines.
Bringing Mindfulness Into Everyday Life
As my meditation practice has deepened, I have accepted the invitation to see all of life as an opportunity to practice mindfulness—not just when I sit on my meditation cushion each morning. And thus, when I do find myself waiting in line (despite my efforts to avoid doing so), I include this experience in my practice. Rather than tuning out and turning to entertain myself with my cell phone, I stay in awareness of what's actually happening.
Coming Into the Present Moment
First, I do what I can to come into the present moment:
I feel my contact with the ground through feet or sitz bones.
I notice sensations arising—tension, heat, coolness.
I observe my breath.
No judgement. No trying to fix or change. Just observing.
As soon as I do this, I realize there is really not that much about my experience that is all that unpleasant. Then I continue to tune into my actual experience, moment-by-moment.
Expanding Awareness
I open up to the sounds around me, not listening to any particular sound, but taking in all sounds.
I soften my gaze to take in the whole picture, rather than hyper focusing on the people in the line in front of me. I also notice my mind state and emotions, the way in which I "go to war" with my experience of being in line, thinking it should go faster, that it shouldn't be happening at all. If there are multiple lines (such as at a grocery store), I notice the way I obsess around whether I chose the "right" line or the "wrong" line… and possibly regret my choice because my line is slower.
I don't get lost too much in my thought processes without periodically checking in again with my breath, with sensation, with sound, with a soft gaze. If I feel up to it, I might practice a light metta for one or two people around me, saying, "May you be safe. May you be peaceful."
At the Head of the Line
When I do get my chance at the head of the line, should there be someone to interact with, I pause to give them, momentarily, my kind attention—making eye contact and smiling, asking how their day is going if it's appropriate.
Rather than emerging from my line waiting experience harried, anxious, and irritable, I feel calm and quiet. I might even say that I feel "refreshed." And my aversion to waiting in line has just a little less hold on me than it did before. I'm probably not ever going to be someone who actually enjoys waiting in line, but when it does happen, I am less inclined toward dread and aversion to my experience.
An Invitation
Next time you find yourself in some ordinary, everyday experience that you have an aversion to or dislike of, see what happens if you bring mindfulness to your experience. Drop me a line and let me know—I’ll be curious to hear about it!
Joanna Dunn is a seasoned yoga teacher and retreat leader based in Leavenworth, Washington, with a rich teaching practice that spans the Pacific Northwest and international retreats.
Teaching yoga since 2001, Joanna offers a mindful approach that blends alignment, slow Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, somatic movement, and meditation.
If you find yourself traveling you might enjoy this blog “Traveling With Yoga Props and How To Pack”