Fretting?

I was listening to Radio 1 on Sunday evening (not sure what was on Radio 4, but it was boring, and I needed something to lift my spirits), and someone came out with this quote from the watchmaker and writer Corrie ten Boom :

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

The intention was excellent, as I know a fair few people are fretting at the moment with the chaos surrounding CORVID-19, but it left me somewhat disheartened as I really can't stop worrying. It's not something I can control, and it's also something that I've always been afflicted with. But rather than worrying about my inability to stop worrying I've learned to embrace it. Not only is the glass not half empty, nor is it half full; it's half full of deadly poison.

I've come to terms with it though, and I let it have full reign. I lie in bed fretting and lost in the Vortex of Hysteria until I've walked through all the possible negative implications of any given situation. Consequences up to, and including, the destruction of all human life on earth. And this can be over forgetting to put the empty milk-bottles out!

I do know that it's not classed as a healthy way of carrying on, and I dare say my cortisol levels are through the roof, but I do avoid watching the news! And worrying about the amount I'm worrying only makes things far worse. So, instead of worrying about the worrying I've come to an accommodation with the whole process - I dare say age has helped with that, as I know that I'll work through all the possible scenarios and then eventually drop off (or get up and have a wee dram).

Whatever though, I'll be prepared for the next day and will have girded my loins in preparation for the absolute shower of shite on its way. And, more often than not, I'll be pleasantly surprised that the conclusion was far better than anything I'd expected.

Why am I telling you all this? I guess it's to try and alleviate a small measure of any worry you might have about your inability to stop worrying. While it might not be healthy, it's possible to get through it. It might take some time, and it's worth bearing in mind that anything which goes on too long needs to addressing (After all, it's normal for people to feel sad, but to feel sad all the time is Depression, worrying all the time is Anxiety, and that's no fun at all!). What your time limit is is something you'll have to judge for yourself but do be cautious of following my method of pushing on through and embracing anxiety - it's worked and will continue to work for me, but might do you some harm. It's all very well spending time in the Vortex, but living there will only make you dizzy!

So the quote from Corrie ten Boom might be correct, but stopping yourself from worrying might be nigh on impossible. There is a route through though, either using my slightly dodgy method, or one or more other means. Breathing-exercises and Yoga work a treat, as can medication (but you know what I'm like with meditation) and/or prayer (I use the term lightly, but giving over control to a higher power works for some people). I dare say there are any number of possible routes through the anxiety you're feeling at the minute (or at any time), so do some research!

Whatever method you choose to implement - don't fret over fretting too much; do something about it!