Hello and welcome to Interpersonal!
Some people are so good at worrying that it becomes a hobby, even an obsession, the way they actively spend their free time. Some of us were raised by worriers, and they passed it along to us to continue the tradition. Well, I am here to give you permission to STOP. ALL. THE. WORRY. Now. Today. Immediately.
How?! you ask. That’s impossible! you declare. Who would I be without my worry? I PRIDE myself on my ability to create elaborate scenarios of what might or might not happen to me or my kids or the world, and then create anxiety about what I can or cannot do about it! It’s how I show the people I love that I love them. A little worry never hurt anyone!
Sound familiar? First, lemme tell ya, worry is not harmless, to you or your relationships. It can damage your mental and physical health, it can put you in danger, and it can alienate those you profess to care about…
Also: worrying, people-pleasing, and living for others are not loving behaviors. These behaviors are not even about the person you claim to love.
They are about you.
These are actually controlling behaviors (more on that if you subscribe to the newsletter!), and they stand in the way of you expressing true loving words or taking loving action. Thus I give you this:
I hope you’ve stuck with me, beloved worriers, ‘cause worry is natural and everyone does it. It also can seem kinda fun, like picking at a scab, or in the way overeating or over-drinking can be, because it feeeeels like we’re doing something.
Worry is not action. Worry is inertia. Worry can keep you paralyzed.
Worry is also not a required “default setting” you are forced to be saddled with your whole life. Worry is a choice. The good news about that is, to not worry? That is also a choice.
It is possible to learn not to be a worrier. How? Coming up…
Meantime, here is the audio file of this post if you prefer listenin’ to reading’!
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