The Best Way to Increase Anxiety

I leave for my Appalachian Trail thru hike in 2 weeks. An attitude of calm, cool, and collected well being has been my state of mind, until about an hour ago when I added a countdown timer to my website. Thanks Linda D, that was your idea! I just discovered the best way to increase anxiety; add a deadline. I can't believe how I went from a ho-hum I'm ready to go - to a frenzied, "OMGosh! I have so much to do!"

So I will do what I always do when I get overwhelmed with a mountain of tasks to complete before the buzzer goes off. I will make a list. I already have several of them floating around the house and in my purse. I guess it is time to gather them all together and make a master sheet.

If you are like me, I tend to shut down when I have too many irons in the fire. I am good at rationalizing why I can't do what needs to be done. And my wonderful husband let's me live in my lies because he knows I will discover the truth soon enough.

In my previous post I stated not to worry about the little things, house chores, and etcetera. But that is not an excuse to let things fall apart either. Certain tasks must and should be done. Who decides, that's up to each individual. After I have run out of reasons why the dirty dishes have filled the sink or the animal hair as collected resembling a shag rug from the 70's, I make a list.

It's simple goal setting. I want a certain result but in order for that to happen X,Y, and Z needs to be performed. The list is the engine that propels me to success. The fuel is my goal. Without a list my goal would sit unconfined and worthless. I would not be able to accomplish anything whether it's planning a meal or long distance hiking. Any great accomplishment starts first with a goal or fuel to be ignited. Second comes the list, the engine that harnesses the fuel to drive you to your goal.

The list must be a written down. One created electronically will work also, but I like paper so I can cross off the tasks as I complete them. That way if my battery dies I can't blame technology.

Now that the seconds are flying away with each press of the keyboard I should go compile my list before my anxiety reaches devastation levels and I withdraw to that unproductive state of being overwhelmed. Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Emily