It’s OK to worry or to know how not to.

The future is uncertain, scary, hidden. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t worry about things at times. We worry about our health, our parents/kids/friends, our relationships, our work and our spending. We worry that we are getting older, fatter, poorer, more tired, less attractive, less fit, less mentally alert, less everything really. We worry about things that matter and things that don’t. Sometimes we worry about not worrying.

Look, it really is OK to worry. Just so long as there is something real to worry about. If there isn’t, then all you’re doing is putting wrinkles in your brow — and that makes you look older, you know.

The first step is to decide whether there is something you can do about whatever it is you are worried about or not. There are usually logical steps to take to eliminate that worry. I worry that people aren’t taking those steps, which means they choose to hang on to their worries rather than be free of them.

If you are worried, then :

• Get practical advice
• Get up to date information.
• Do something, anything, as long as it is constructive.

If you are worried about your health, go and see a doctor. If you are worried about money, set a budget and spend wisely. If you are worried about your weight, go to the gym — eat less, do more. Suppose you are worried about a lost kitten, phone the vet/police/local animal rescue. If you are worried about getting older, there is simply no point — it’s happening whether you worry or not. If there is nothing you can do about your worry (or if you are a persistent worrier, even bordering on the neurotic), distraction is the only answer. Get absorbed in something else.

Worrying may be a symptom that you don’t really want to do something about the problem. It might be easier to carry on worrying — or looking concerned and appearing to worry — rather than doing something about it. It is OK to worry properly, profitably, usefully. It is not OK to worry pointlessly or needlessly. Or at least, it is OK, but it’s a colossal waste of life.

Recorded Notes.