Do we really wonder why there is more anxiety these days than ever before?!
Imagine when many of us were kids. What made us nuts? I can’t even remember! Maybe a lot of what we heard about, or our history. But in general I think just upcoming tests or friends leaving us out. Not disease, nuclear destruction, and terrorism.
There is too much global awareness. Too much access to news?
When we were kids, no one knew what was going on around the corner. Unless you were playing at the kid’s house! Today, everyone posts everything.
Practically, before a person is engaged, everyone knows about it. A guy can’t just get down on one knee and say, “will you marry me.” How lame would that be?! Everyone would know the guy’s not too creative five seconds after his proposal. The girl would have to say no, just to save face.
Nothing is private. And everything in the world seems close at hand. Perhaps there was a lot of stuff going on years ago, too?! But who knew? “If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound” was the big question. Meaning, if no one was there to hear it, was there a sound?! Today the answer is yes, because everyone hears everything!
We are all so anxious because we are all too aware. Instead of just knowing what’s going on within your family and friendship circles, you know everything about everyone, everywhere. Who can handle all that information and not get edgy.
Can I make a suggestion? Stop! Stop listening to all the news, accessing the Internet, instagramming, snapchatting, and being so connected. I know for many that’s like saying stop breathing. But some of the air we’re breathing is toxic!
Listen -there was an old joke-
“I read smoking is bad for you, so I stopped reading!” My suggestion sounds a little bit like that. But, what I’m really saying is that being so attuned to things you can’t control can get somewhat burdensome to the human mind! And therein begins the worrying because there is nothing else to do.
But, if there is some good that comes from the knowing, then that’s a different story. If you can be proactive by knowing something and another can be helped by your knowing, then therein lies the benefits and pathway to countering anxiety. Using your energy to do, to accomplish, to impact, that can help you channel the information productively.
So, figure yourself out! If “tmi” – (too much information)- makes you nuts, then use your “time”, in other ways, so you may “trim” your worrying opportunities. And in rearranging these letters, and embracing this approach, you can “merit” a little more peace of mind!
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com<mailto:rivki@rosenwalds.com