It’s been a harried and stressful week for yours truly! After having a fantastic (yet busy) vacation, my week has been filled with tasks and projects that needed completion. I just finished a course that I absolutely loved, but it required a lot of time and preparation for a final presentation. I knew it would be ‘crunch time’ to have everything ready for Saturday’s final class, but I learned a truly valuable lesson in the process.
I’ve always been a person who worries about everything. So much so that whenever I know I have a deadline for a task I go overboard with worry about meeting my (and others) expectations. Have you ever noticed when you are hurrying and fretting you make more mistakes?
Case in point for my exhausted, disheveled self this past week. After nearing completion of my class presentation, I decided to treat myself to a manicure/pedicure. More than anything it was a distraction from myself and the week, if that makes sense. Feeling slightly more relaxed afterwards, didn’t I go and slam myself into a plate-glass window when trying to leave the salon! I was so embarrassed that I scurried out of there (when I finally found the actual ‘door’), nails still not dry and now completely ruined, tears running down my cheeks for a plethora of reasons, and feeling horrible in the process.
Fast-forward to this morning. The presentation went well yesterday, despite my feelings of worry and fright about it all. Now as I sit here drinking my delightful coffee and back in my comforting surroundings and staring out onto Lake Michigan, I realize (and here’s the lesson for me) that my lack of sleep, worry, self-doubting, and having no clarity were things that I COULD have chosen to do something about and yet, I didn’t. I let the fear factor take over my entire week to the point of literally being slammed in the face with it all.
I started to think about the result I wanted; that is, to have a smooth presentation and completion of all the other tasks I was required to do this past week. And guess what? Everything was done on time. But even if it wasn’t, I needn’t to have made a big deal about it. I realize that my attitude, my thoughts, and my worried energy were all rolled into a big, negative mess this past week which I could have changed by choosing different thoughts. You know, thoughts such as, “this is going to all get done and if it doesn’t, that is completely okay”. I could have approached the week with excitement rather than intense dread; what would the week have looked like? Why, I think it would have been filled with calm, appreciative moments rather than bleary, sleepless nights and ruined moments.
I wanted to share this ‘experience ball’ with you to remind all of us that stress, worry, anxiety, fretting, and the lot requires a lot of energy that we put on ourselves with only bruises (mentally and in my case this week, physically) to show for it. My grandmother used to say, “Worrying is like sitting on a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” She was right. So for today I am going to do absolutely nothing that doesn’t make me happy. I’m going to get some more coffee, stare out at that lake for hours, and relax.
Here’s hoping you grab some Sunday serenity!!
Have a lovely relaxing Sunday sounds like you deserve a treat. 🙂
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Ah, bless! Why thank you so much, Marje! I really appreciate your kind words!! Cher xo
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You’re welcome Cher. x
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Feel yourself hugged. I’ll do your nails in different hues lol
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*biggest grin ever* And with your wonderful comment you have changed my day, my dear! Hugs received with gratitude, and different hued nails sounds delightful!! Thank YOU!! Cher xo
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I like how you literally had to get smacked in the face with it, lol! Love Grandma’s quote :>
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*LOL* Well you know me, darlin’; it takes me a LONG time to get the lessons! Yes, the Universe knew it would take a literal ‘smack’ for me to get it! *grin* I love Grandma’s quote too! She was right, wasn’t she? Cher xoxo
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Cher, glad you are feeling better today… yes I like your Grandma’s advice too! Lots of love and hugs. Iris ❤
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Ah, bless! Thank you so much, dear Iris! Grandma was extremely wise! Thanks, Iris! Right back at you! Love, Cher xo
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I tried stress once – it was rubbish!
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Ach aye my dear!!! 😉 Cher xo
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I can identify with your experience of stress and worry, and your post is a good reminder to release it. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you enjoy your Sunday. 😊💗
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Thank you, Tonya! It’s so difficult for me to release stress but so incredibly freeing when I do. Thank YOU my dear, and I hope you enjoy your Sunday as well! Cher xo
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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🙂 xo
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It’s just struck me then. If most things we worry about don’t happen, doesn’t that suggest we ought to get better at worrying? To better focus what we’re worrying.
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Hi Joseph! Why yes, you are correct!! I agree and will have to ruminate on your words. They make complete sense to me! Thank you! Cher xo
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Loved what your grandma has to say about worry!! I should remember that…. After that crazy week, I hope you had a nice Sunday to pamper yourself and your thoughts 🙂 lots of love
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Ah, bless! Yes, I love what she said and I need to remember it too! *LOL* I had a very relaxing Sunday after that week, thanks!! I sure needed it!! Thank you, Aishwarya! Cher xo
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Great thoughts, Cher. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
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Hi Brett! Thanks so much! Cher xo
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At least you weren’t chewing your nails! 😉 We all worry and sometimes get stressed so you are not alone. The irony is that the things that worry most us are invariably the things beyond our control (like traffic jams, cancelled trains etc.) – so we really shouldn’t be letting them stress us out and if we don’t that’s half the battle won. Hope you have a calm rest of the week 🙂
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Thank you so much for your comments, my dear! I agree with you completely! Your words are perfect and I appreciate them! I must keep them in mind! Thank you! Cher xo
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I use to say, that I don’t want to worry about something as I can’t change anyway, Cher 🙂
Good for you with a relaxed day.
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You are totally right, Irene! Good reminders! Thank you! Cher xo
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Much love to you, Cher. xxx
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Ah, bless! Thank you so much my dear! Cher xo
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The wonderful thing here Cher about this experience is that you have learnt from it, and I am sure in the future you will choose the brighter option of Trusting in yourself and knowing All will be well.. And I hope you continue each day, to do the things that Make you Happy.. It is what Life is all about..
LOVE to you Cher..
Sue xxx
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Thank you so much, dear Sue! I am grateful for your words of wisdom. LOVE to you, Sue! xoxo
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Enjoy your day dear Cher xxx
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🙂 xo
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That is a lovely photo. You absolutely MUST relax when looking at that scene.
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Why thank you!! Oh yes, it truly does bring an immediate sense of calm when looking at Lake Michigan!!! Truly grateful! Cher xo
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I understand her…I so understand. Trusting you are in better energy…and happy 4th of July!!! When in America 😉
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Ah bless! Thank you, dear Lorrie! Happy 4th of July to you as well my dear! Cher xo
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Love the rocking chair analogy! Beautiful, serene pictures too! 🙂
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Why thank you so much, Traci! Ah yes, my dear, sweet grandmother with this wonderful analogy. She always had the wisest things to say! Cher xo
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Sunday serenity… perfect!
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Why thank you, dear Ritu!! Muchly appreciated! Cher xo
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Queen Worrier here! It’s like my greatest talent! But it’s so true, most things we worry about don’t happen or if they do they weren’t that bad anyway.
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*LOL* Hayley, I can relate! Now if there was just a way to put it stealthily on my resume! 😉 Cher xo
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Ha indeed x
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😉 xo
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I couldn’t agree more. Worrying and fretting over things never helps. All you need to do is make your best effort and usually there aren’t many consequences of not getting everything you planned done
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Well said, Candace! I agree; making your best effort is such a great idea; we should take heed of this and not be so hard on ourselves (ie, worry, worry, worry)! Thank you for your very wise words, Candace! Cher xo
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