Even though I’ve gotten much better at applying the live now, worry later approach lately, this weekend I’ve been struggling to remind myself over and over again to just chill.
What am I worrying about today?
- that I ate too much last night when I got home and threw together a bowl of yogurt with chocolate chips and cookies (okay a bowl of chocolate chips and cookies with yogurt)
- that I am going to get rehurt (I ran two days back to back)
- that I eat too much junk and shouldn’t drink beers with my friends because I’m too big
- that I’m going to fail my test on Monday
- that I’m going to bomb my presentation on Wednesday
- that I’m not going to be able to work the program we have to use for our project due on Friday
- that I’m not going to be able to get sources for my latest freelancing article
But guess what?
- I didn’t eat “too much”. I might have emotionally eaten, but I didn’t binge. And that’s a win. Full and miserable are two different things. Solution: next time go for fro yo with friends, it will be more fun!
- I could get hurt doing anything, not just running. I could be doing everything perfectly and fall off my bike, get into a random accident, or trip over something in my apartment. Not running back to back days for months might have been necessary but the intense “should I? shouldn’t I?” drama I felt today is totally uncalled for. And when I went for the run, which took me to the playground where I did a workout with the monkey bars to help me, it was friggin perfection. I probably ran about 40 minutes/4 miles-ish (some on trails, some on road) around the workout in the sun!
- I don’t eat too much junk. Exhibit A (lots of not junk):
…and I am not too big. And even if I was big, I would still deserve beers with my friends.
- I am not going to bomb this week’s school stuff. And if I do, maybe it’s a signal that it’s not meant to be? I haven’t gotten many bad marks, I don’t need to study my life away, and I am on top of things. That’s what I need to remind myself. Also that sleep is optional and caffeine is a wonder drug, in a deadline pinch.
- Stories come together. I can call 1209102910291 numbers until I find sources to help me with my freelance article. I’m not incompetent and I’ve written much harder stories in the past. And the deadline is over 10 days away!
And so there. Worry IS a waste. The way to deal with it is to be proactive and to start working on things you can. So I worked on my presentation today. I also was productive and finally put my laundry AWAY! And I went to yoga this evening. Can you say win?
And now since it’s Saturday and I’m young and wild and free, I’m going to go sit on a patio and have a beer.
Enjoy the evening!
How do you deal with your worries?
What are you doing this weekend?
This is a wonderful reminder, worrying takes so much energy that I could be using on better things… like driving to froyo. That is my kind of energy. Great post!
Ohhhh froyo! Blogger meetup involving the good stuff? I think so!
I definitely have some of these same worries! I worry that I eat too much too, but then I realize, uhhh everything I eat is healthy and I’m working out. So who cares!
Definitely! And when you listen to your body it all balances out
Beauty of trusting it!
its SO true, worrying is such a huge waste of energy – no matter whether you can control the situation or now. And a lot of that stuff on your list is 100% in your control! you definitely eat good wholesome food a majority of the time, if you did in fact eat “too much” last night, it’s okay cuz it’ll all even out in time, and…hey, you’re 23. you deserve a beer! You also generally work out twice a day, but even if you didn’t work out twice a month you’d still deserve to go out with friends. And the school stuff – I used to worry SO much about my performance in school, until one time I called my mom before an organic chem test, worried, and she was like “well then sit down and get studying already!!” since then I’ve operated on the “sit down and fucking do it” method when it comes to worries within my control. And it sounds like you’ve got your stuff under control, so yes, you can absolutely tell worry to screw off and go get yourself a beer
So true–and I realized that all this stuff is worth like no percents. AKA I had fun last night and it was not even GUILTY fun!
And that reality check: just sit down and do it if you’re so stressed was MUCH needed. Turns out I’m not so stressed.
I just want to give you a big hug right now <3 but, I loved this post. You sound really strong and all of the self talk and reassurance is a great thing to do! So proud of you babe xoxo
It’s awesome how you are so able to reassure yourself when you’re worrying or feeling down!
I hope you enjoyed your beer with your friends last night!
Thanks Chels – and yes I did! It’s rare I regret saying yes to social stuff.
Wow, this was SO needed for me! Thank you. I have a habit of worrying about shit.. But you’re right, it’s a waste. Great job spelling it all out to yourself! I have a borderline anxiety disorder, so when I worry I WORRY. It’s always better when I just spell it out to myself like you did. I hope you had an awesome weekend and good luck on everything this week! I’m sure you’ll do a BOMBtastic job on the test/presentation.
Awe thanks for the comment. And BOMBtastic is like my fav word right now. How’d you know!?
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