I want to share something with you that once made me feel inadequate and weak: for many, many years, I was a worrywart. I continuously worried about everything and anything. When I say everything - I mean I worried about every little thing.
Not only did I miss out on enjoying life, for years I even experienced the classic physical symptoms of excessive worrying:
- restlessness and an inability to relax
- difficulty concentrating & sleeping
- muscle tension & chronic fatigue.
Worry is an emotion we all experience but, it can often feel overwhelming and debilitating, especially for women who balance numerous roles in their daily lives.
So a few years ago when I came across the Worry Decision Tree below, something clicked that changed my life for the better. I was finally able to manage my excessive worrying and live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
The basic idea of the visual aid is to ask yourself if the thing you're worried about is something you can control. If it is, then take steps to address the issue. If it is not within your control, then practice letting go and focus on activities that bring you peace and joy. At a high level, it really is that simple.
So go ahead and try it: use the visual aid to help categorize your worries and determine the best course of action for each. You'll see that the answer is the same: DON'T WORRY!
And when worry creeps back in - and trust me, it will - just go back to this chart. Also, remember, you are not alone, and help is available. Don't hesitate to reach out to sorors, family, or a mental health professional if you need more support. You deserve to live a life a life free from the chains of worry.
Enjoy! 😘
