Worrywart

I was on the phone with Michelle on Monday night, chatting about this and that when somehow we got around to how crazed we can get, worrying about all kinds of things from the large to the miniscule.

I was telling her about all the things I have going on, and how I feel like I need to get certain things finished in order to have peace of mind. As we continued our conversation, we discussed how most of the pressure we have on our shoulders was placed there by none other than…ourselves.

To me, that’s a more difficult pressure to work with than if it had been placed on me by someone else, because I can’t seem to get away from myself (imagine that!).

I mentioned to Michelle that I have absolutely no reason to be stressed out all the time. Frankly, the things I worry about are often bizarre (ask my family), and it occurred to me that not only can I not remember the last time I didn’t feel worried about something, but I also can’t imagine (in the future) a state of mind in which I’m not worried about something.

On that note, those people who are completely laid back and don’t seem to have a care in the world? DRIVE ME INSANE. They shouldn’t though, right? Their worries (or lack thereof) don’t affect me, and really, I should be happy for them, with their lack of furrowed brow, their unclenched fists, and their ability to remember…well, things. That’s right, I’m totally jealous.

In my case, because of the types of things I worry about, worrying must be a choice. I’m not talking about being worried about things like a family member in poor health, or financial survival, or other major issues: I’m blessed to have a life that is currently devoid of things like that. I worry about the fact that, when I really get into the writing zone, the clutter in my house builds up. I worry about how I never remember to pull something out of the freezer for dinner. I worry about things that are out of my control, because they’re out of my control.

After hanging up with Michelle, I thought about making the choice to not be so tightly-wound all the time. What would that be like? Could I pull it off?

The more I thought about it, the more I started to worry that I wouldn’t be able to.

I think I’ve got some work to do, don’t you?

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©2010 Suburban Scrawl

9 Comments

  • House of Jules

    Delegate your worries about pulling something out of the freezer for dinner to your cell phone. That's right… set an appointment with a notation of what it's for to beep at whatever time you need it to through your cell phone calendar; it'll not only make your phone beep but will also show you whatever reason you set it to beep. I do that on the weekends when I'm home…I have appointments set for just about everything so I don't have to give them another thought until the alarm goes off.

  • Mrs4444

    That's kinda funny 🙂 But seriously, I think it's mostly temperament, combined with organization style. Worrying about forgetting is over as soon as you put it on a list. I agree with Jules.

  • DaddysFishBowl

    Classic: "The more I thought about it, the more I started to worry that I wouldn't be able to."

    Maybe it's not so much that you're worrying, but rather have these things on your mind to ensure they get done? In any event, at least it seems like these types of worries are managable and not likely to cause grey hairs, like some of the others that you are fortunate enough to be worry free about.

  • Tara R.

    I would love to go one day without worrying about something. Funny thing is that of all the things I worry about today? Won't happen…

  • Momo Fali

    I took my anti-anxiety meds last night, then an Ambien, and I slept from 12:00am to 2:00am. I got out of bed at 3:00, watched Diary of Anne Frank on HBO, then the local news trying desperately to get the idiotic thoughts out of my mind. I was certain that knowing the MONUMENTAL stress some people have faced in their lives, might be enough for me to realize how ridiculously my brain functions. It didn't work.

    Soooo, if you figure out how not to worry, could you please fill me in. Soon.

  • Heather

    Perhaps I drive you insane then because most of the time, I am not worrying. I can be stressed out, yes, but I have never seen the point to worry about things that I cannot control. Certainly doesn't mean I don't like that they aren't in my control though 😉 I can be a CONTROL FREAK about certain issues. I think that Jules had a great tip with putting alerts in your phone. You right, you DO have some work to do but if anyone can pull it off? It's you! 🙂

  • nycgirl0501

    I hope these comments make you laugh because they are meant to be funny!

    "To people who are completely laid back and don't seem to have a care in the world…" – SENSE OF URGENCY…look up the term! Live it, love it! They DRIME ME NUTS TOO!!!

    "I thought about making the choice to not be so tightly-wound all the time." Ummm you are coming to NYC soon. We love people like you (and me) here. You will thrive in our environment 🙂 Don't lose too much of yourself just yet!

    Hee! Hee!
    I like this post because I am totally like this too!

  • Lucy

    I totally could have written this. Worried about get posts up, laundry done, being "perfect", etc, etc? That's me! And it's all silly stuff. I'd love to be a relaxed, fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal. Maybe in my next life…