Repellant
It’s 9:23 a.m. Work started 23 minutes ago. 14 negative thoughts have already entered my brain. A new one appearing every rotation as I spin in my chair. “I am not doing enough,” “is Johnny doing more work than me?” “Am I letting my team down?” “This shirt makes me look homeless,” “Are my coworkers messaging each other about my shirt, do they think I look homeless too?”
No matter how irrational or unrealistic a thought is, you can bet all your life savings that I have thought of it or will eventually think of it. It becomes a party guest that won’t leave after the party is over. Sleeping on the couch, cups wrapped around their warm body like an itchy blanket. No matter how much I poke them with a broom they don’t budge. Unfortunately, negative thoughts make for the worst house guests and they tend to frequent my mind like a parasite.
And, I know I am not the only one. My anxiety doesn’t make me special although I like to pretend it does. Within work and school or any roles that require a bit more responsibility and dependability, the mind tends to wander down paths of uncertainty and doubt. Most people around my age are either suffering from some sort of breakdown or imposter syndrome, crying over being left on read and yelling at unclean roommates. It’s hard to stay afloat when we are already on a sinking ship.
I am no professional but I found some ways to repel such thoughts. And perhaps you are like me and like to feed negativity like a starving child but it’s time to throw out the baby formula. I am in multiple positions at work and school that requires a bit more motivation and teamwork that becomes difficult when my anxiety is at an all time high, however I have been able to manage it quite well and even excel.
First, it’s important to note that confidence is key. I may be an anxious mess but I am one confident gal and that allows me to have hope in what I am doing. It also appears well to others around you, even if you’re the most insecure person as long as you act confident in what you’re doing, whoever you’re working with or leading, they will trust you. It allows the negativity to dispel, like water off of a duck’s back.
And, if confidence is not in your vocabulary, fake it. Everyone fakes confidence, and eventually the falsehood of it will become reality. Just tell yourself you are confident, wear confidence like a coat, even if it’s for a moment. Slowly, but surely, it will seep in.
Second, get a worrying stone. Now, this can be just any smooth object, just rub it when you’re stressed or entering a state of negativity. It immediately allows you to forget everything you were thinking and relax for a few seconds. I use a worrying stone at work, I have a smooth rock I keep in my purse, whenever I am feeling insecure or negative I rub the rock and it brings me instant peace.
Lastly, use the negativity to your advantage. This one may sound a bit pear shaped but stay with me. Think about what you’re worried about or being negative about, if you’re in a team address those thoughts. Address it, and tackle it. Make sure to smooth the edges of whatever is worrying. For example, if you are having some negative thoughts about a team project, talk about it with your teammates, tell them what you think is an issue. Everyone will hone in on it and make sure that it’s perfect. Whatever is worrying you, means that you just need to work on it. Working extra time to perfect something is worth it.