self-soothing
Self-soothing is the lofty art of ignoring one’s internal panic device to pacify it through self-deception. It masquerades as deep breaths or a favorite tune, temporarily trading inner chaos for the illusion of calm. This technique offers brief serenity at the expense of self-esteem, leaving root issues as collateral damage. It is, in essence, a pact of mutual deceit with oneself. The only true outcome is the hollow echo of repeating “I’m okay.”