this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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I've never been able to do it.

When I'm relaxed, I'm hardly aware of my surroundings and when I'm alert, I'm nervous as hell.

How the hell do people keep their composure in difficult situations and still get through them alright?

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[–] blarghly@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't think anyone is really chill and alert at the same time. We have two entirely different nervous systems dedicated to these tasks.

What is actually happening is that people are feeling their fear or nerves or whatever, and acting anyway. And while it isn't an especially pleasant thing to get better at, it isn't very complicated - just keep putting yourself in scary situations. The more you experience fear and nervousness, the less control it has over your actions. You just get used to it.

[–] vapordays@leminal.space 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don’t think anyone is really chill and alert at the same time.

I do think so. I've attained this state. It's famous in philosophy, spirituality, as a performer, in a "military" or fighting context, and so on.

But I guess it depends what you mean by chill. A better word is calm. It is totally possible to be calm and alert at the same time. I'd say it is a more ideal state to be in, and strive to achieve consistently.

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 1 points 1 day ago

Or just being mindful. It doesn't sound like OP really means "alert" so much as "aware of your surroundings".