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I have a ‘Worry Chair’ and sitting in it is part of my daily routine. It wasn’t my idea, but the result of a group brainstorming. A bunch of middle-aged ladies at a weekend retreat, painting, talking, drinking, eating, and laughing. That’s when the concept was born.
We, ladies, are friends and we meet sometimes because we need time away? It’s like a short vacation from our daily routines. I suppose, we all need that but there is more. So much more.
The last times we met we all felt worn out. When we talked and wondered why, it quickly became obvious.
We come from different cities and have diverse backgrounds, yet we all felt the same. Like the weight of the world was resting on our shoulders and we were crumbling under it. It appeared we all worried 24/7 not just about us and our families, but about the world and everything in it. From climate change to the election and back, our minds were set on NEGATIVE and no matter how much we tried to stay upbeat and positive, there was no escaping it. Sickness and death, money and bills, the future and aging. Worries are everywhere and rightfully so.
There is daily negative news, the state of the world, politics and more politics, wars and poverty, lies and hate, shootings and killings. Yes, there is a lot to worry about and so it began.
The same group of ladies who came up with the 8-minute cleaning routine. (Brilliant idea, we all practice it) invented The Worry Chair and it has become a very important part of our daily routines.
It’s not the same chair, of course not, because we don’t live together, but it’s a special chair we chose. A chair we normally don’t use that much has become the official WORRY CHAIR.
We allow ourselves to sit in it for 15 minutes a day. That’s the time we give ourselves to worry -daily. Some of us do it in the evening, others in the morning. I suppose the time of the day doesn’t matter, but the time we spend in it is limited to a maximum of fifteen minutes.
You won’t believe how much worry you can put into 15 minutes.
The first times felt odd. “What a silly idea,” I thought. “Who in the right state of mind worries on command?” But it works like a charm and it’s amazing what you can accomplish in just fifteen minutes. Swearing, head-shaking, crying, eye-rolling, sarcasm, fears and worries. We let it all out. Some of us quietly in our heads, others speak out loud.
Either way, we worry!
Interesting how it works. I had no idea how much I needed permission to worry freely and now, since I practice the daily worrying, it sets me free for the rest of the day.
The simple trick to worry once a day has helped me to not worry for the rest of the day. It’s like I get it out of my system and that’s all I needed.
I am in a better mood. My shoulders feel lighter, and life seems brighter.
It is a habit I needed and I will hang on to it because it has made my life better. Another step in the right direction I suppose.
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What a great idea! I’m going to explore ways to incorporate this as my worrying can always use some tidying up. An almost daily habit that improves my life is yoga or at least stretching.
Give it a try, it really works. All it takes sometimes is the permission to let go.
Will do!
I am glad you found such a great group of people to connect with… so many good ideas! How do you keep from worrying outside of the chair though? I worry all day!
It’s like giving yourself permission to have candy. You had it, no more need to secretly think about it. The 15 minutes of concentrates worrying is all it takes for me to get it ‘out of my system’ even though I am the only one listening.
Your group is so creatively beneficial
Yes, we are unbeatable together.
An inspiring and supportive group of friends you have and a helpful practice. 🧘🏻♀️ I was a frequent worrier until a few years ago. I reached a breaking point and have since let that way of being go.
“Frequent worrier” I love that. I am glad you stopped worrying too much.
Life-changing to let go of that way of being. Thank you very much. 😌
I’ve always loved this quote. I love this great idea of a worry chair! I should try this, I spend way too much time worrying.
Give it a try. You might find it beneficial.
A brilliant idea. With all media bombarding us 24/7, and “breaking news” being repeated over and over as if it were happening at this precise moment, it is little wonder that so many of us are in a constant state of worry.
I think the media is to blame, or the internet. Most of us feel the same way.
A brilliant idea Bridget. Better to worry in the day in a chair, rather than in a bed all night. Happy Wednesday. Allan
I think sometimes we need permission to feel miserable, like when you go to the doctor and you don’t feel well and you have been dragging your feet for days. When the doctor finally says “go to bed, you are sick” you feel relieved.
A worry chair sounds like a fantastic idea. I certainly worry too much, too often, and definitely more than 15 minutes. It would also be good to have an optimism chair; a chair to spend a few minutes to see that there’s also still beauty and goodness in this world…
Most of us worry too much and way too often and many fall into the other extreme, they don’t get informed at all anymore in avoidance of a negative overload. I think worrying is alright when timed (out). As for being optimistic, that’s a birth defect I have, but it got harder. Perhaps giving you time to worry and in the evening take some time for optimism, that might help you sleep better.
I think you’re totally right! My problem is in the worrying about the silly things (and placing equal weight on the small and the large). It sometimes gets out of hand. A worrying Viertel Stunde would perhaps limit that. It also feels like an interesting thing to actively plan for in your day. Optimism in the evening is always a good idea!
We all worry about silly things, it’s normal. You are normal 🙂
Depends on who you ask, haha.
Interesting idea. I know one or 2 who could benefit from trying it
Let them know 🙂
A very unique idea.
It sounds a bit surreal but it makes so much sense. Like meditation time or a girl’s night out, even date night. If we don’t set specific times and time frames we often forget.