Wouldn’t it be great to stop worrying? Don’t you want to just turn off the worry reel that runs continuously in your mind? I used to worry like worrying was my job. I was good at it. Too good at it. In fact, worrying became my default setting until I ran my happiness straight into the ground and found myself utterly exhausted. But one day, I had a thought that changed the way I think forever, and I learned how to let go of worry.
[clickToTweet tweet=”I used to worry like worrying was my job. #stressfree #mindfulness via @mamaguru_com” quote=”I used to worry like worrying was my job. “]
Here’s my story:
I woke up one day and instead of drinking a cup of coffee, I mistakenly downed a cup of anxiety, head fog and fret with a big spoonful of overwhelm stirred in.
Needless to say, it was bitter.
I hate this feeling: so much to do that I feel paralyzed to start. It fritters away the precious free minutes I have to accomplish something. My underlying nature is optimistic and energetic, but bad moods cross my path from time to time. My husband calls this particular mood of mine desperate gloom, which is a hilariously accurate description.
With my head all over the place, I couldn’t sit down to write during my writing time.
Restless, I needed to move, so I took my boys to the golf course for their first real bike ride. Max rocked his training wheels and Jack tore it up on his trike. At the half-way point we sat down in the shade for a juice break. They got the sillies and giggled so joyously that the old golfers nearby found it contagious.
I let myself enter their world and found myself laughing the laugh my husband calls a gackle, which is neither hilarious or accurate, but a name I can’t escape. It’s the full-bodied laugh that comes out when I really give in to a moment.
A thought crossed my mind: What would I do today if I didn’t have to worry?
[clickToTweet tweet=”What would you do today if you didn’t have to worry? #stressfree @mamaguru_com” quote=”What would you do today if you didn’t have to worry?”]
The answer was simple: this.
If I didn’t have to worry today, I’d be gentle with myself and acknowledge my vulnerability. I would take the day slow and connect with my family. I’d let their love encompass me and bring me back to feeling right.
A second thought came quickly on the heels of the first: Why do I have to worry today?
True, deadlines loom. Responsibilities dangle, but so do limitations.
For some reason, I tend to pooh-pooh the reality of limitations. I expect myself to conquer them, which means I don’t accept their existence on some level. A can-do attitude is a great asset in life, but it’s unfair and exhausting to expect myself to hurdle every obstacle in my path. Sometimes I just need a breather.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Worry isn’t a badge of honor to carry until I’m done with my work. It’s a burden that makes my load heavier.” quote=”Worry isn’t a badge of honor to carry until I’m done with my work. It’s a burden that makes my load heavier.”]
And so, I let it go.
All the balls I was juggling just fell to the floor. I’ll pick them up, one by one, when I’m ready. After all, I am not an octopus or a circus clown.
I am just a woman who needs a nap.
No amount of worry is going to change that,
but rest will.
What about you?
What would your day look like if you didn’t have to worry?
What would your life look like?
Thank you, Chava. Your comment made my morning!
Good luck, KJ! Deep breaths and just knowing that your emotions are running high can make a tremendous difference, because then you realize that you have the power of choice.
We all do, Danasia. Maybe you can try setting that cup down for a while.
I find myself drinking that cup of worry a few days a week:(
You hit the nail on the head!!! If you need someone to panic I’m your girl. But it doesn’t matter anything better. Actually things seem to be getting worse. I’m trying to take deep breaths and power through each obstacle instead of worrywhats next now.
Excellent post! This is something that definitely needs to be talked more about.
I’m so guilty of wearing my worry like a badge of honor. Sometimes I even wave it around to ask people to give me sympathy. This is a beautifully written post, definitely the best read of my morning.
Thanks for advice.
Thank you, Jessica!
Oh Marta, it sounds like you still have your sense of humor at least. One thing I tell myself is that worry never helped me solve a problem. It only makes it harder for me to live my life. That helps me let go.
Exactly, Crystal! Worrying can be a default state, we need to consciously bring ourselves out of.
Thank you, Kymmie!
I think I would be much happier! Ha. We have two little kids and one in college, worrying has become our daily task. We worry so much that we’ve decided that in our next life we are not having kids, to see what it feels like to not have to worry 24/7! Haha
Great post. I’m totally guilty of this as well. Time to put the brakes on!!!
Beautifully written. I can relate!
Ohh i am so good at worrying! Love this post Rebecca! Thanks for linking up, have shared
I am the queen of worrying. That’s all I do! I overthink and I worry and I stress. It’s a never-ending cycle. But I’m getting better! I’m learning to let go and just let things BE.
This is such a great reminder. I love the question you asked yourself, and it is a great way to get back to the present moment.
Yes to all of this! With a demanding full-time job it is hard not to worry. Especially when so many responsibilities are calling. Sometimes I just take a breath and say to myself, “It will get done when it gets done.”
I needed this! I am SUCH a worry wart and need a reminder to calm down!
I honestly don’t know. I worry a lot even about the little things that I feel like it’s a part of who I am.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
My life would forever be changed if I didn’t worry and I didn’t think about stuff too hard. I really loved this post, I am really just a woman who needs a nap! Hahah
I love the idea of not having to worry. Rest is definitely the answer. You are so eloquent.
So true! I guess my day would be just doing whatever my daughters wanted, enjoying being in the moment. 🙂
So well said. I absolutely loved this post! Thank you so much for sharing in such a beautifully written way!
Yess I loved this post. I have terrible anxiety and stress and worry looms over me until I complete something. It really is such a burden and sometimes you need to take a nap or rest. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Xoxo Amber