Permission to make a mistake, Cap’n?

On the phone with a good friend the other day, talking about all this Modern Day Anxiety bullshit, when I was gently reminded that sometimes? People make mistakes. And guess what? Nobody died. It isn’t the end of the world, no matter how much I think it might be.

Just granting myself the human right to fuck up now and again has taken a huge load off my shoulders. That and all the awesomely awesome comments from friends and strangers in the last, oh, however many days it’s been that awesomely awesome people have been helping me out. Thank you all. I feel better, despite any manic closet-cleaning episodes to the contrary.

November 28, 2007 | Filed Under neuroses

Comments

2 Responses to “Permission to make a mistake, Cap’n?”

Chair on November 29th, 2007 1:10 pm

I think (?) that’s pretty much where I’m at. There is a MASSIVE OCD/Control Freak streak running through my family and if I let myself, I get way too anxious about things going properly, put away properly, fed properly, cleaned properly, read the proper books properly, etc, etc (where properly=MY WAY).

I seem to have developed an ability to calm myself the hell down and it’s amazing how much easier it’s made my life. Sure, I still refuse to let J load the dishwasher, but overall I am able to say, “No one’s going to get hurt or sick? K, then it’s not a big deal.”

And the things that ARE possible beyond that are out of my control, so fretting isn’t going to help, I figure a person is more resilient and able to cope with issues as they arise if they’re in a state of calm.

That’s my theory anway.
christinaheathersbabysitter on November 30th, 2007 2:37 pm

girl! i am the person you need to talk about anxiety to. i’ve had it bad for a few years now. you do need to let yourself make mistakes, and you especially need to not be down on yourself for having anxiety in the first place. i’d always be pissed at myself if i woke up and knew it was going to be a bad day, but my thera. told me to try out not getting down on myself if i have some anxiety, and just let it happen. let me know if you need anything or just have some questions!!