Toward A Less Anxious Presence (part 2)

CONTROL. All of us desire and need some level of control. No one wants to be "out of control." It is normal to want to have some control over our lives. We like making our own decisions rather than having someone else tell us what to do all of the time. However, sometimes we can find ourselves in situations where we have little control, especially over larger circumstances that impact our lives. This Coronavirus situation may be one of those larger situations. Not having as much control as we want, can cause us to over-control. When we are overly anxious we often over-compensate or over-control as a way of seeking some autonomy. Over-controlling is often evidenced by our "nit-picking" over small things that wouldn't have bothered us in the past; not being satisfied with a task; becoming "bossy" with family, friends colleagues, etc. Control isn't a bad thing but it can get out-of-control. It helps to be aware that we are often not in control of nearly as much as we would like to have control over. Realistically try to control what you can and let go of what you can't control. Stay safe and well.