How to Un-Labor Every Day
You know that thing that pains you to think about?
The one that pops up when you can’t sleep?
The friend you never called back. The sweater you never returned. The woulda, shoulda, why-the-hell-didn’t-I, when-am-I-going-to, where-is-that?
If fear is the mind-killer, this stuff is the annoying kid that tormented you in eighth grade. Taunting you, kicking your chair. You know you shouldn’t care—but you do. So you ignore it and hope it goes away.
It’s not going to.
Try this method:
1. Write it down.
2. Decide if you’re willing to do anything about it. No is a valid answer.
3. If you are, call them now. Take responsibility. Ask forgiveness. Put the sweater on their doorstep with a bottle of wine and a reverse ransom note. Whatever. Make like Nike and just do it.
4. If you’re not willing to do anything about it—set it free. If it doesn’t want to go, kick it out. Let it know, firmly, that you won’t be dwelling on it anymore. Then don’t.
