It’s a practice. It’s about bringing your focus back to the present moment. When you’re sitting in your car your head is probably swimming in the world of what happens when you step out. But you’re not out yet, you’re in your car. Breathe and remind yourself of that.
Think of it like restarting your computer when it freezes. You’ve overwhelmed your system, it’s easier to reset than try resolve the issue through direct control.
Joan Holloway from Mad Men- she at the very least has the evolution of a woman rising to independence while in a world built around suppression of women. A lot of characters from that show are badass ladies at different stages of independence though.