I don't like being unhappy, so I try to avoid it. This strategy is a lot more successful than I once thought. Some problems don't need solutions, they just need a good night's sleep. Some things aren't worth stressing over.
The potential downside to this system is that not stressing over things that don't matter that much can turn into denial of things that do matter. Sometimes things need to be put on hold and then picked up again. To some degree, I've done that with my studies and it's worked well enough for me. I have about four days more than I need to revise everything at a reasonable pace, which is plenty (I hope). Other things, like getting a hold on where my life is going, don't take well to that approach. I can only face so much of the stress at a time, but it needs to be faced.
When I try to bury it, it comes back out in the form of grumpiness, unfounded guilt, and arbitrary accusations. By God's grace, I've yet to be so irrational that I can't patch things up, but I'm sure that if I ignore the warnings I'll eventually take myself out of that grace, which is not a place I want to go. I need to do some self inspection and figure out where to put some of the pieces.
Part of that means that Shakespeare can have this Saturday off. Regular programming might resume next week. I think.
Art Buchwald said, "Just let it wash over you." However, it does seem to be the people who think things are worth stressing over who become the geniuses of this world! (after they have ruined themselves, or are in the process of doing so).
ReplyDeleteBut surely it would be destructive to say something like 'I am not going to stress about taking my TB antibiotics. I'm just going to let it wash over me,' and get sicker and sicker? The alternative of stressing about it, but getting better may not be ideal, but I think it's a whole pile better!
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest making sure that you have a sense of perspective? As long as you are not stressing over something that doesn't, actually, at the end of the day matter!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the one thing worth stressing about is what one should stress about! And how does one gain a sense of perspective? Now there's something to stress about! But seriously, maybe stresses are therefore decided in advance by the settling of priorities.
ReplyDeleteEver heard of the Serenity Prayer? That's what I wind up saying when I feel overwhelmed/outraged/tired/whatever.
ReplyDeleteP.S. sorry, I meant to say first of all, sorry that you are feeling low. Hope things are starting to look brighter.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate! I hadn't thought of that prayer, but now that you mention it I will keep it in mind. :)
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