30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 8
What are you currently worried about?
[Mike]
Living with anxiety is something I've always endured. No reason - just a squirmy, uncomfortable feeling. The power to visualize and imagine are great for creating and making stuff, but it could also lead you to imagine all the worst possibilities. I've said before, this is a handy feature to keep one safe. However, it could result in undue worry and not experiencing anything at all for fear of failure.
Keeping my heart rate under control and using cognitive skills to examine and mitigate unnecessary worry is key. Even talking openly about worry is a testament to these new found skills.
What do I worry about?
Short answers; car problems, finances, health, home, our place in life and the universe. Ya know, just the basics.
If I run all that through the still, it's a fear of failing, not being able to fix things, and being left without. That seems pretty common, but looking at it in type, I think I can distill it further. Those fears seem to be predicated on faith in myself and my ability to deal with things seemingly beyond my control. But most things that come my way, I've been able to handle.
I learned that even when you're imagining things going wrong, you imagine how you'll feel in the first few moments. How you deal with that emotion and work to through the problem affects the outcome. If you're rational and work through it, the problem will pass and you'll eventually return to your default state. Staying calm and mitigating tasks really helps.
I'm also fond of design thinking. It's a way of tackling large tasks by breaking them down into smaller ones. Then each step of the way, trying variations of the steps until the best one is found and the best possible outcome is achieved. It just helps me not be too overwhelmed by big projects or problems.
This blog is/was a huge worry for years. I didn't want to have a voice. It's tough to talk about these things. I tried journaling, but it seemed weird to not write for an audience. I'm atrocious with grammar and spelling. (In case you didn't notice.) Just to get these articles as readable as this, requires sophisticated robotic assistance. It will get easier though. This blog, like me, is finding its voice. I'll try new ideas; some won't work, some will and regardless, it will all be great.
There is much to fear. But hopefully you'll find a method to help you get through. I dunno, that's just me though.
-Mike Olguin
[Crystal]
I worry about so many things on a daily basis. Finances, eminent car problems, current politics, what people will think, or how I will be judged. These worries are daily stresses that I need to work out in my mind to overcome them, and a solution doesn't just come around overnight. I really need to work on managing these issues so that they don't affect my state of mind, my health or my everyday happiness.
What do I do to alleviate these worries?
Well, years ago, I used to practice Bikram yoga, run for miles and miles, drink lots of alcohol, distract myself with friends and activities, and go to Disneyland wayyy too much. Now, my lifestyle has changed a bit and to alleviate stress I prefer meditation, walking outside, breathing exercises, cooking, listening to Bosonova music, and petting Poof, my cat. Wow, what a dicotomy.
I have begun seeking help from the internet, in more ways than one. Listening to TED talks (Technolgy, Education and Design) and NPR (National Public Radio) have helped me "think outside the box"and feel inspired by these great minds. I feel more motivated, empowered and educated just by listening and heading their sound advice. As you know, we have also begun blogging, which is extremely theraputic as we have been able to find a voice, speak our truths and creatively express ourselves to "the world."
As we all work through life, there are many worries and challenges we will face along the way. But armed with the right tools, we can make it through and succeed.
-Crystal Olguin
August 6, 2017
