Chapter 33
The Perfect Day and Its Shadow
M. PAUL KEEPS HIS PROMISE. On the first of May, we had all—i.e. the twenty boarders and the four teachers—notice to rise at five o’clock of the morning, to be dressed and ready by six, to put ourselves under the command of M. le Professeur Emanuel, who was to head our march forth from Villette, for it was on this day he proposed to fulfil his promise of taking us to breakfast in the country. I, indeed, as the reader may perhaps remember, had not had the honour of an invitation when this excursion was first projected—rather the contrary; but…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Self-Sabotage Triggers
Think of a recent opportunity you avoided or a conversation you dodged when someone reached out to you. Write down what you were afraid might happen if you had stayed present instead of pulling away. Then write what actually happened because you avoided it. Compare the imagined fear to the real consequence.
Consider:
- •Notice if your imagined worst-case scenario was realistic or exaggerated
- •Consider whether avoiding the situation actually protected you or hurt you more
- •Think about patterns - do you tend to pull away when things get too good or too real?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you sabotaged something you wanted because you were afraid of being disappointed or rejected. What would you do differently now, knowing that hiding guarantees the loss you were trying to avoid?
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