Things have been a little hectic lately and I feel like I am just going through the motions, trying to get through the week and into the weekend. Tired and achy. Complaining? Yeah I guess I am. I am working on my "attitude of gratitude" so despite the difficulties we are facing I will try to remember the following good things
1- I am married to my best friend.
2- I am loved
3- I have wonderful friends and family
4- I have a place to live
5- I have food in the refrigerator and the pantry is full
6- I have a job I love ( most of the time)
7- The only constant is change.
My mom was a worrier and I got the "worrying gene" in spades. I am working on NOT worrying about things I have no control over. Chris can do that and I am learning from him.
In November, I will try to think of one thing each day I am thankful for. It will help me focus on what is important and what is not. I will try not to default to what is called "automatic negative thinking" and flip it to a positive. It's work, but good work all the same.
My husband's a worrier. When things get bad, I ask him: "So, what's good?" and I force him to come up with something no matter how blue he's feeling. Once he dredges something up, I demand another.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that doesn't work, and I try a different tactic - this one probably won't work for everyone. I ask him: "What's bad?"
One of two things usually happens: He realizes he can only list one or two things, and can then process the knowledge that really, there's not much of a reason for his stress. Or, alternately, he can come up with a list, and we discuss ways to fix the things that are causing him stress. Being a solution-oriented man, having a plan of action improves his mood.