Write to Worry Less

Hello Dear One, 

Happy halfway through September. Seasons come whether we’re ready for them or not. 

This weekend I had a wonderful time with friends, taking walks and plunging into a freezing loch, the things that help you feel alive. Then, from nowhere, I felt anxious. 

When this happens–after many years of working with myself–I know there’s something I’m believing which is simply not real. I take deep breaths and try and work out what it is, but it isn’t until I sit down with a pen and paper that I can understand what’s happening. Often, it feels like diving to the bottom of a murky pool. 

Anxiety is something I didn’t know that I had until I had it. Once I could identify it, with help, I learnt to interrupt it more. Now I ask myself a simple question: what is real? This exercise is one I use whenever I’m in this state of mind. It helps me shed the weight of worrying, return to the present moment and enjoy it. Two words before you start - be kind. If you struggle with this check out last week’s letter. You are not a bad person if you find this difficult. You are not abnormal for feeling like there’s so much on your shoulders you can’t relax. You are a human being, trying your best. 

It can take some practice to rationalise worries when we’re used to worst-case scenario thinking, so this one’s worth repeating. Let me know if it helps. Remember to laugh. Thanks for being here, and being you. 

All love,

Jo

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