I am always worrying about things…it make my head ache!
When you are going about your normal day, what is your mind doing? Is it with you or is it against you? I don’t know about you but my mind is constantly chatting. The only time it is not is when: I am asleep; I am really focused on a task or when I am listening to others. The rest of the time my mind is tuned into “my own internal chatter station”. I tell you it is one busy station. My issue is, that I have come to realize that a large portion of “my chatter station time” is spent worrying/concerned and just plain overthinking. I can go for hours worrying about a friend’s problem, a family member’s situation, how to fit too much in to my day/week, work issues etc…….I have realized that I am creating my own continual, low level stress. Are you, too, a little guilty of letting your thoughts take over???
I have made a conscious decision to STOP….(OK..let’s be honest, work on)…this. There is enough stress in the world without me creating my own. As I have discussed before,, stress is not good for our health or our emotional well-being, so why not try to reduce our stress levels where ever possible?
From now on when “The worry chatter station” comes on in my head…. I have come up with a plan of attack:
1. Realize that I am doing it and STOP myself.
2. Ask myself “is this is my issue?” If not “let it go”. I cannot solve, think and worry about everyone. I would not expect others to worry themselves sick over me and I know others don’t want me to do that for them. Let it go and wish them well.
3. If it is my issue….solve it, make a plan or move on. Give the issue, only the time it requires and no more.
4. Divert my attention: focus on that exact moment. For example: if I am driving…what am I seeing? What cars are around me? What is on the radio? Etc This breaks the chain of thought and allows you to refocus.
Everyone has worries and to care and think about others is not a bad thing, however, giving it too much of our time and causing ourselves anxiety or apprehension does not help anyone, especially ourselves. We must try to put things into perspective and move on; dwelling on issues is not beneficial or positive. Living in the moment and experiencing happiness cannot happen when we are worrying or stressing about things.
This topic makes me think of the words from the famous Eagles song “Take it easy”….. “Don’t let the sounds of your own wheels drive you crazy”.
With this in mind, do you need to work on your mind chatter? I know I do? Let me know what you think?
happyasapiginmud 
True…sometimes we create our own problems…A storm in a teacup…over-thinking makes life more complicated than it needs to be. Apply the KISS principle…keep it simple….streamline life…life is way too short to stress.
Yes the KISS is the way to go……..A great thought to keep in mind when the overthinking kicks in! Thanks for stopping by!
I totally agree with this post and I am guilty of doing this all the time…in fact my mind is just a bundle of a million thoughts a minute and a lot of them are worrying about the future or the past or the “what if”…oh if only I could STOP. Thanks for this great reminder again…I keep telling myself something I saw on Facebook the other day “Self control is the only control I have”
and even that seems illusive when the cream cake calls my name 🙂
I am hearing you Karyn……..our minds are like busy city streets with thoughts buzzing around like crazy. For our sanity and well being we must pinch ourselves hard and let reality jolt us back on track. We are not alone with our busy minds….and we must stick together to try to calm the thoughts and let happiness creep in. Thanks for stopping by!
At some point during the last couple of years, my brain just shut down. It has become a vacuum (empty space). I’m okay with that. 🙂
I love those moments of empty space!
Reblogged this on happyasapiginmud and commented:
I heard the Eagles song today, “Take it easy” and it reminded me that it had prompted me to write a post several years ago….It is still a issue that I am constantly working on. Thought I would share it with you.