Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 20th July 2010 | 7 comments
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about sudden change. It must have been an omen, because since then I have had change all around me.
Most of it is at least potentially exciting - new clients interstate, finding a new office, some journalism commissions, making new contacts, committing to a trip to China. Some of it less exciting - more major surgery for our cat, a crown (dental, not princess) for me, getting gazumped on my new office, my son home sick.
The usual mix, in fact.
But for some reason this time it has left me with that constant feeling of low-level anxiety, diffuse worry that never quite crystallises but never quite goes away either. Do you know the kind I mean? It destroys your peace of mind, hampers your ability for good creative work and leaves a nasty little furrow in your brow (in my case, joining an existing army of furrows already camped there...).
So, I've been thinking about how best to deal with it. First strategies, like getting grumpy, lying awake at night or blaming my son for getting sick, were not enormously helpful.
So today, it is all about:
By coincidence (or is it?) one of my free downloads at the moment is a worksheet on worry and doubt, so if you'd like more tips, check it out here.
Oh, and my other strategy is to write about it, which I've just done, so now I feel better.
What works for you?
... and put your favourite music on to dance around the house without worrying about what anyone thinks of your style.
watch your favourite comedy and laugh out loud...
works for me.
Yes and yes, Vicki thank you. And in fact I came home yesterday at lunch time to check on my son, and we watched 'Blades of Glory' together - it has to be the silliest movie ever made, but we laughed and laughed, and it felt very good!
Good on you for telling us about it, Joanna. So easy to think the experts have got it all sorted. It's very refreshing to be reminded that we all feel rattled by worries at times. Your list reminds me of a strategy i'm using at the moment to keep up my spirits when the Woeful Worries are getting a toehold. I have printed out all the encouraging emails that people have sent me recently regarding my upcoming first solo exhibition and I've stuck them around my office. They bring a smile to my face and make me feel very encouraged every time I read them. I wish you well! Fiona
I like the analogy of rowing upstream - the anxiety doesn't get you anywhere so just put the oars down and go with the flow. Hard to do though - a lot of us are very good rowers!
Fiona, Grace, thanks. Yes, love the upstream thing (provided the oars are still within reach and not lost overboard!), and the emails idea. I also loved the thought from someone who emailed me about this post - she said that it's that feeling of a slow leak in an air mattress, it just gets more and more uncomfortable until you get up and do something about it! Maybe you could hit it with an oar or throw the emails at it :)
Sometimes it is just good to say you feel trepidatious. Everyone who likes you will jump in to your rescue and it will make you feel good.
Remember: life can be short
Thanks for the comment, Astrid - and I love the trepidatious word, perfect!