Worry less

I've read in a couple of sources recently about the two types of worry-thinking. One is productive: you are sifting through solutions and making decisions. The other is, well, not. I do entirely too much of the latter type and always have. Today in my Morning Pages I started developing my personal strategy for changing that. Here 'tis, a work in progress.

Step 1: Notice the stress. (Regular meditation practice makes it easier to notice when you are experiencing stress.)

Step 2: Identify the problem.

Step 3: Admit that the problem cannot be solved. (Or if it can, go do that.)

Step 4: Stop worrying by employing one or more of these techniques:

• Meditate to clear the brain.
• Write Morning Pages or do The Work. (Writing things down seems to send a stronger "knock it off!" message to my brain than mental resolutions.)
• Find a distraction, and don't feel guilty about it because distraction is a perfectly valid approach to dealing with pointless worry.

Step 5: Enjoy all the freed-up brain time!