The Washing Line

The Washing Line

What do you see dangling from this washing line?  A pair of ankle socks, one pair of knee-length socks, a pair of trousers and an all-in-one garment.  (Well, actually a pair of pyjamas, top and trousers pinned together!)  I took a photograph of these items to illustrate this week’s topic.


A few days ago, I had the pleasure of chatting to a young girl who was sitting next to me while her Gran (my friend) had gone off on business for half an hour.  Knowing that the girl, after spending her primary years at a small country school, had recently started at a large secondary school, I asked her how she was getting on.


Clutching her mobile phone, she looked up with a sad and worried expression and replied “Not well.  I don’t like it.  I get panic attacks and I’m getting treatment for anxiety.  I try to meditate, but…”  Her voice trailed off miserably.


My heart went out to her.  Such a lovely sensitive-looking girl, only eleven or twelve years old, who should be enjoying this new chapter in her life!  But, alas, like many of her contemporaries, she has been badly affected by the many negative aspects of our present day: constant news of political uncertainty, violence, hatred and awful disasters, on radio, TV and the internet, possible cyber-bullying via her precious mobile phone, worry about the future –now including the effects of climate change…


As a retired teacher, I know how difficult it is at the best of times for young teenagers to cope with the switch to secondary school, in addition to the bewildering physical changes which puberty brings.   How I wished I could help her!


Looking at her tense posture, her nervous fingering of her phone, the way in which her left leg was placed over the right one with the left foot turning restlessly round and round – seeing all these, I was suddenly reminded of ‘The Washing Line’.  That is the title which I have given to a set of instructions which I learned long ago at a conference.  They have helped me to relax many times over the years whenever I have been under stress.  So, in the hope of helping the young schoolgirl, I took her through these instructions, one by one.  Perhaps they may be of use to you or a friend, so here they are…

The Washing Line

Find a quiet place where you are unlikely to be disturbed for twenty minutes or so.        Switch off any device such as mobile phone, computer, TV, radio, etc.   Sit upright on a comfortable chair, your back supported by a cushion if necessary.  Place your two feet flat on the floor.  Rest your hands, palm side down, on top of your thighs.  Try to relax your shoulders.  Close your eyes.


Now begin to breathe slowly in for a count of five, with your lips closed then out for a count of five, with your mouth slightly open.  At first you may still feel tense as you breathe in, but aim to release this tension every time you breathe out, through open lips.  Continue like this until you begin to feel relaxation descending into your lungs.  Don’t worry if this takes quite a few minutes, the first time you try it.  Just persist, perhaps managing to increase the count gradually from five up to ten each time you breathe in and out.


Now for the Washing Line!


Concentrate first of all on your feet and ankles.  Visualise them as a pair of ankle socks dangling from the washing line.  Continue breathing in and out, as before, until you can no longer feel them. 


Now move your concentration up to your knees, and visualise one pair of knee-length socks hanging loosely from the washing line.  Keep breathing slowly in and out, as before, until you can no longer feel your legs from the knee down.


Then move up to your waist level, and visualise a pair of trousers dangling from the washing line, until eventually your concentration is limited to the upper half of your body.


Pause.  Imagine that there is a little wheel spinning round inside you, just above your waist level.  Visualise putting a finger on it to slow it down, until it is rotating at a slow, steady rate.


Now, as you breathe in and out, concentrate on releasing the tension from your shoulders and the palms of your hands.  Visualise an all-in-one garment hanging from the washing line.  Let it dangle down in the gentle breeze.


Then, when your body below you is completely relaxed, concentrate on your head.  First, as you breathe in and out, relax your jaws, then your cheekbones, then your forehead.


Now imagine that there is a little space at the top of your head, through which your mind can soar up into a beautiful, peaceful place of your choice.  (I chose a moonlit garden; the young girl chose a sunny beach.)  Take time to enjoy its beauty and its peace...  Then think of something, however small, for which you are thankful, and silently say “Thank you” to God.  (Don’t worry if you find it difficult to believe in God.  Just say “Thank you” anyway.)  Silently ask for help with your problems.


Once you have done that, it is now time to come back down from your beautiful place, taking care to close the little space at the top of your head (known as the ‘fontanelle’.)  Imagine that soothing golden oil is now being poured into you, filling every part of you.  Silently, say “Thank you” again.


Open your eyes. Twiddle your toes, and stretch your feet, legs, hands and arms.


Get up and go!