Day 1550: Worrying and Planning

Earlier this week, I spoke to somebody in therapy who believed  worrying was a necessary part of planning.

I replied, without worrying about it, “No, no, no, no. Worrying is never helpful.  Never.”

While I rarely plan to use all-or-nothing statements like that, I do believe that worrying never helps. People often believe that worrying helps motivate planning. Actually, worrying wastes valuable time and energy while you’re planning.  Planning is much more productive and fun without the burden of worrying.

Even though we weren’t planning on it, we had a good discussion about the uselessness of worrying.  At the end of the therapy session, we both said, “No worries.”

Right now, I’m planning

  • to sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” accompanying myself on a Kalimba and
  • to see a house by the water, which we might make an offer on.

I’ve been planning to write today’s blog post in order to let go of any worrying about all that.

I’m planning on sharing all the photos I took yesterday, without any worrying.

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Are you worrying about what music I’m planning to include here?

If you’re planning on leaving a comment, I’m not worrying about that, either.

I’m always planning to end each post with gratitude to all who helped me create it and to you — of course! — no matter what you’re planning today.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, Psychotherapy | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

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26 thoughts on “Day 1550: Worrying and Planning

  1. Worrying… not worry for anything! Ah dear Ann, how possible… especially if you live in here. Everybody and me too we all worry, everyday and for everything… I know, the matter is politics. And you can guess. I stop talking now. Just I wanted to join to you all. Thank you, Love, nia

    • Hi Nia! I’m not saying there aren’t worrying situations in the world. However, worrying doesn’t help us plan on how to deal with those situations. Because we’re human, we can’t help but worry! But it helps to let go of worry and focus on planning and taking action. Thank you! Love, Ann

      • I know dear Ann, you expressed so nicely, and I understand too, but while reading you, I thought myself and I wanted to be there in your group 🙂 this is not easy for us in here, you can understand. Welcome and Thank you again, Love, nia

  2. I agree with you on worrying – with the possible exception of a dog with a bone

  3. I worry that I’m not worrying enough now that I’m retired.

  4. Good post Ann. I wouldn’t worry about it 😎 I think of worrying as interference in the force. May the force be with you … and the house on the water becomes yours 💛

  5. I do worry, but in not wanting others to waste precious time with worry….I’ve learned it really is a waste. It’s slowly leaving my ‘to-do’ list.

  6. I like how Val expresses it!

    I worry not if you will not worry. I worry if you worry….

    Or something like that. 🙂 No worries. Sometimes, I just type what flows through my fingers without worrying about what’s flowing out!

    No worries today Ann! I started with you here, and now I’m reminded not to worry!

  7. Until I read your post I didn’t know what a kalimba was so I’m too happy about learning something new to worry. But then I worry that shame, guilt, and worry provide necessary ballast, that without them we may go too high. Then I think we may have other ways to come back down, and we benefit from having been among the clouds.

  8. Jesus reminds us that although the least of God’s creatures are not as capable as man, God still takes care of their needs. Since we unlike the lesser creatures are aware of our mortality therefore worry enters in. But the lesson is: Why worry? If He cares for the least, how much more does He care for us. Worry only stifles the fullness of our being.
    -Alan

  9. I am writing this in a very unworried state in a train near a flooded river in southern Washington state. Very excited about your house and looking forward to hearing a bit more. Good luck!

  10. Hmm. No worries that you will find your house! I used to worry more. Now when something bad happens, I think, hmmm, what should I do about that? And I often have options. Then I move on.

  11. I’m not sure whose quote this is…Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.

  12. I wish not worrying were as easy as worrying.

  13. Pingback: Day 1724: Pre-existing conditions | The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally

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