A lot of the anxiety in our lives has to do with two common areas: things we are doing and things we want to do.
Things we are doing can be anything. It can mean overeating. It can mean staying in a bad relationship. It can mean procrastination. It can mean wanting more money. Anything.
Things we want to do can be to become healthier, to exercise, to find a better job, go on a vacation, learn a new skill, read a book, write a book, whatever. These are things we ultimately feel we do not have the resources to do; resources being time and/or money. For example, if you want to go on a vacation, you may feel as if you do not have the time to take a break from your work. Or, you may feel you cannot afford a vacation.
When these two worlds collide, they cause stress. Trying to balance the things you are doing along with what you want to do can be tricky. And, that is where the stress comes about. When you cannot do what you want to do because of what you are currently doing.
How do you alleviate this stress? How do you fix it?
Simply, stop doing that and start doing something this. Figure out what you can stop doing and decide to do something else.
We build up emotional attachments to the things we are doing and often it becomes tough to quit, tough to stop. In the meantime, the things you want to do take back seat and anxiety sets in. If we would simply decide that for one day, one week, one month or one year, we are going to stop doing one thing in order to do something else, we would eliminate a lot of the stress in our lives.
When the anxiety of not being able to do something kicks in, decide for yourself “What should I stop doing in order to do what I want to do?” For application, take a moment to list five things you are currently doing. Call this your “doing now” list. List their benefits and how it relates to your lifestyle and well-being. You may want to consider how it relates now (today) versus how it relates to your future. Then, create a “want to do.” In this list, include five things you want to do and include with them what it will take to make it happen.
Compare your “doing now” list with your “want to do” list and simply connect the things you can give up with the things you want to do. To help the process, do not get caught up in comparisons. That will just cause you more stress. Choose a set and do it.