Today: Where are my Worry People?

October 8, 2012 by Elizabeth 15 Comments

[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]I had a set of worry people (and a matching barrette, for questionably fashionable worry dolls on the go) when I was younger.  I am not sure how many worries I shared with them, but I can see the value in having something inanimate to unload on, consequence free.

I’ve been feeling a bit weighed down lately.  Some of my worries are worthy, like health concerns (The latest in a long series of body experiments? A weekly shot of B12… in the butt cheek.) or work stress.  Others are less worthy, like “which–of the three wedding headpieces I bought– shall I wear?”  While I tend to draw a lot of motivation from stress and worry (I’d never make a doctor’s appointment or meet deadlines ahead of schedule if my wheels weren’t perpetually in motion), I’m also easily drained, worrying about things I cannot control.  And worse, by inventing scenarios… just in case I run out of real things to worry about.  For example, my car is likely on its way out sometime soon… so why not worry about what might happen if it broke down on the way home from tonight’s soccer game?

Worry’s a double edged sword.  When worry prompts me to take action, take stock of a situation, or take better care of myself, it’s a positive.  When worry preoccupies my thoughts and prevents me from being present, it’s less than a gift.

This is the thing:

So after I finally choose between the flowered headpiece and the jeweled one, I am making a commitment to worry less.  Like all ingrained habits (I’ve been perfecting this naughty one for thirty years now), I know my inclination to worry will not be easy to break.  Step one: a worry-free playlist.

Perhaps I should dig out my worry people and enjoy the jams with them.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Congrats to everyone who ran today’s Tufts 10K for Women – way to #getafterit!
• Soccer game
• FaceTime with my niece 🙂

Are you a worry person?  How do you manage worry?