Turn Anxiety into Confidence

[Boss.man]

I'm doing some counseling to reduce anxiety. I find I was self medicating with AL instead of actually solving my problem. These are my notes for this week.

Anxiety is like guilt about the future. I can't fix the past, and I don't obsess over things I did or mistakes I made. The past is over, and that's not an issue.

However, I do obsess about the future, particularly with regard to the economy and work issues that relate to my personal security, retirement and well being.

My lesson I learned this week is to stop that. There's no point to solving problems that haven't happened yet. It's a waste of time and energy. The only problems that need handling are the ones here and now, and those are all solveable.

I need to have confidence. Confidence that when problems happen in the future, I will be able to solve them at the time. Confidence that my personal security is based on my attitude at the time, and not on any future planning or windfall.

I've solved every problem for 48 years. I got through college. I got married. I started a business. I got sued, audited, harrassed, and robbed. I got over that. I have the experience and knowledge to solve anything that comes up. I need to be confident that all this great experience will come to play when needed. There's no need to get anxious.

So from here on out; when I get anxiety, I need to stop my brain and say "I'm confident I'll handle the future when it arrives. What I need to focus on is now".

I hope this helps someone else too.

[Guitarista]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Thanks Boss. Another reason to live in the 'now'.

[last call]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Thank you soooooooooooooo much for sharing. I needed that. Anxiety is one of my main problems among others.

[livingfree]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Boss
Thanks - I too self medicated because of anxiety. I obsess more about the future than feel guilty about the past. I would get a tightness in my chest just trying to get ready for work ,, worrying about everything and anything! This is good info... I've tried to live in the now but I've never see this put in such easy clear terms. Thanks again

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Boss.man;629860 wrote:
Anxiety is like guilt about the future.

Guilt? Keep your chin up my dear you can't be all that bad!

I have anxiety about future events as well......Yoga helps : )


Luvya,

Myheart

[Cinders]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Boss.Man,

I am right there with you. Trying to control future events over which I have no control.

And, they may or may not happen!!

I am working on it, too.

Good luck!! We can do this.

Cindi

[startingover]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Boss, these are wise words. I used to be permanently anxious about the future too. Very common and such a waste of energy.
Thank you for sharing your tools combat this.

[Anjicia]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Great post bossman thanks for sharing.

[rubywillow]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Wow, THAT is powerful stuff! I know it, I've been taught it, I've heard it, but somehow I don't always live it, and I need to hear it over and over again! Yesssss, Boss, you HAVE helped someone today.

BTW: I didn't know you had been thru so much trauma in your life. You actually got MARRIED?!?!?!?! LOL

[Bluzgtar]

Turn Anxiety into Confidence

Great post Boss.man,

As an older reasonably successful functional alcoholic I find your writing very inspiring. Since the AL isn't in my picture anymore even lifes complications aren't all that complicated. The skills and tools I have learned through my life have been cleaned, sharpened and are ready to go to work. Don't get me wrong, every day isn't a walk in the park. But, every new day is a new experience and deserves to be treated as a gift. Obsessing about tomorrow isn't fair to the future. In my mind, the measure of a good life is not how easily we get thru our day but how skillful we are at solving lifes little hick-ups. Just my take on it.

All my best to all

Blu