Let me start off this post by saying that I don’t intend to preach on the futility of worrying, as I have met very FEW people who worry MORE than me. I am not sure if I have always been this way but certainly have been a major worry-wart after I had my son. I worry constantly about him. Is he eating right? Is he sleeping enough? Why does he turn all my spatulas into swords and attack me? You get the picture.
Having said that, I am aware about the pointless nature of most of my worries. But simply knowing that, doesn’t help. It is mostly an involuntary part of my nature, and I can’t just wish it away. However, I was able to find an effective antidote for it. This clearly isn’t a universal antidote, although it works for me and could possibly work for you.
1. Law of Attraction – I read about this in a book called as The Secret. The law of attraction states that our current thoughts create our future reality . This scares me so much that I rush to change the channel on my mental television.
2. Writing a Gratitude Journal – I have recently discovered the benefits of writing a gratitude journal. It instantly alters my frame of mind and makes me focus on the many blessings that are a part of my reality instead of the mostly imaginary situations that I worry about.
I would love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this? Do you have a special antidote for your worries?
*This post is written for the AtoZChallenge.
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Ranveer vishal
I worry a lot about the future, career and meeting the work deadlines.Sometimes, it plagues me to no end but think writing in a diary helps. I need to start jotting my thoughts again:)
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, that might help. All the best. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Tim H
Currently I always list my favorite thing of the day, but to show more gratitude, my wife and are going to start gratitude journaling. It sounds like an interesting way to peruse our personal growth as we travel (which is what we blog about).
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Shanaya Tales
That is great. Good luck. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Courtney Turner (@mauijungalow)
I try not to dwell too much on the negative, but I’m still human. What’s interesting is that our personality shapes how we worry. There is one type of personality that will always look for what can go wrong, and try to avert disaster by planning far ahead, and this is the person who will plan a trip 6 months from now and want to know where everyone wants to have dinner the first night! This can drive other people crazy. There is also “ruminating” worry in Chinese face reading that involves thinking the same worry thoughts over and over, going nowhere. I’ve been studying Chinese face reading, so it’s been interesting to find out how different archetypes worry.
Courtney Turner (@mauijungalow) recently posted…Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop To Drink: Maui’s Crazy Fresh Water Shortage
Shanaya Tales
That’s interesting. I am probably the constantly worrying archetype. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Susan Gourley
You have completely convinced me to start a gratitude journal. There’s no escaping worry when you have children. And no matter how old they are, you still continue to worry.
Shanaya Tales
That is true, Susan. And yes, gratitude journals are very helpful. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Eli
I also used to worry a lot.. But have improved a lot.. Trying to live here and now, being in the NOW – that works for me
Eli recently posted…W for Writing
Shanaya Tales
That is awesome! Whatever works – we just need to find what works for us. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Preethi Venugopala
This post is so me! The secret changed the way I thought and worried. I too change my negative thoughts immediately nowadays.
Gratitude and affirmations also help.
Preethi Venugopala recently posted…Letters from nowhere: Part 4: Whimsical
Shanaya Tales
True. Glad you could relate. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Meghana
The quote is very nice. Worrying actually takes you nowhere. But one can’t help worrying. I liked your first antidote.
Shanaya Tales
Hehehehe..it works! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Shailaja
I have a simple secret 🙂 It involves the mantra from my guru:
‘If you worry, I will not worry. So relax and hand your worries over to me.’
That and prayer has always helped me.
Shailaja recently posted…Battle Scars #Poem #AmWriting
Shanaya Tales
That is a wonderful thing to live by, Shailaja. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Pooja Sharma Rao
Your posts are so full of positivity. loved this one and the quote.
Pooja Sharma Rao recently posted…Without you (in the memory of my late father)
Shanaya Tales
Thank you. So glad you liked it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Ruchi Singh
So very true. Worry is fruitless. In my case, if I say something bad for myself aloud it happens 🙂
Ruchi Singh recently posted…White Angel
Shanaya Tales
Oh dear. That is scary. :/
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Rajlakshmi
Actually the same thing scared me too, so I changed my thinking and mental state. 😀 And I feel so much better now
Rajlakshmi recently posted…The Wild Thing
Shanaya Tales
Whatever works – right? 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
The little princess
I read the Secret too…and it sure does work!!! It is scary to think of all the negative thoughts we attract as we worry!
I tend to worry a lot and most of it is needless..pointless! But meditating helps…earlier I used to sit down to just deep breathe when I panicked but now it has become a routine and it surley helps!
The little princess recently posted…W for Worship
Shanaya Tales
So glad that meditation works for you. I have seen it do wonders for others too. As far as I am concerned, I am just not able to calm my mind down enough for it. Hopefully someday..
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
G Angela
I Like the quote shantala, and yes I have read a nice book on “the power of your subconscious mind” by Dr Joseph Murphy and also another one”You can Heal Yourself by ” Louise Hay… both these books emphasis on the power of thoughts; Dr Murphy speaks how our subconscious works to bring to reality what we have been fearing… and Louise hay speaks of how every thought has a power to create a future…. Its all how we deal with thought patterns….. ultimately we are all responsible for what we think…
G Angela recently posted…W for Warangal
Shanaya Tales
I will look the book up. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Sundari Venkatraman
Worrying is waste of time – I am sure all of us know that. But when has knowing stopped anyone from not doing? 🙂 You are perfectly right when you say that you realised how much you worry when you gave birth to your son. It was the same for me. Then I found ‘prayer’. I pray – not for long, but intensely. That’s the only way I find that I can keep worry at bay 🙂 Excellent post Shanaya
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Sundari. Glad you liked it. And yes, prayer helps me too. A lot. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Shilpa Gupte
Shantala, as far as worrying goes, you and I are twins! I, too, am a big BIG worry-wart. And, I do the exact same things you mentioned under Laws of attraction. I am really trying my best to change the channel on my mental television, but, it’s taking time. But, I am going to keep trying to stop worrying and start living!
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes! I know that it is NOT the ideal application of the law, but hey, whatever works – right? 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Mee Magnum
Don’t waste time on worrying about things you have no control over.
–Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Mee Magnum recently posted…[REVIEW] Dynasty of Port Washington
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, that is what I keep telling myself. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Devika Fernando
Perfect tips. I love it that your posts are always crisp and short but informative and inspiring.
My link: http://www.devikafernando.com/blog/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-letter-w-wedding
Devika Fernando
Oh, forgot my sure-fire antidote to worries: pets, and books! 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes! Books are my no-fail stress relievers. My favorite mode of escape too. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Suzy
I think Erma Bombeck summed it up very nicely. I meditate to release worry.
Suzy recently posted…Love is in the Air – War
Shanaya Tales
Meditation is something that I hope to be able to successfully do someday. I have heard of, as well as seen, the benefits to others. Someday..
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
sulekha
We all worry but how we deal with it is important. I switch mental gears when I find myself thinking negative thoughts, no use adding to the problems. Writing a gratitude journal is helpful too.
Shanaya Tales
True that. I have found the gratitude journal immensely helpful too. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Prasanna
It’s futile to force yourself to stop worrying and that itself becomes a major worry. When I’m worried I try to think of positive thoughts and imagine myself in worse situations. Also laughter can be helpful too 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes. Like they say – laughter is the best medicine. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature