COULD (not should) – how to combat anxiety and stress

                                                 I’m late with this blog.  Usually I write it at the beginning of the month.  This month, though, on the 1st I was away.

When I returned on Tuesday I started should-ing… “I should do the newsletter/blog.  I must get on with it.  I ought to get a move on…”  And did this  get anywhere?  Did I feel happy with these thoughts?  Did it work?  At all?  What do you think?  It’s just a recipe for anxiety and stress.  I needed to find different way to move forward.   Usually I enjoy writing but should-ing and ought-ing was reducing the experience to a duty at best, a drudge at worst.

Today I realised what I was doing. And re-wrote the script.

“I could write the blog.  Or I could not write it.”  Eureka!

                                                   *!*   (-:   *!*

Simple!

Suddenly I had permission and could do as I wanted rather than as I was feeling coerced to (by myself).

And now I’m enjoying writing it.

Do try it.  Every time you hear yourself saying ‘should’ or ‘ought’ or even ‘must’ or ‘have to’ aloud or in your head – STOP.  And say the sentence again replacing that word with ‘could’.  Simple as it sounds – it’s really powerful – it works!

I hope you’re having a wonderful Summer.  Do let me know your news. And if there’s anyone you think may like to receive my newsletter do let them or me know.  And you know you’re welcome to come to see me if you want to discuss anything relating to anxiety therapy London.

With all best Summer wishes,

Suzanne