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My definition of anxiety is
the gap between the now
and the later.
Whenever you leave the
sure basis of the now and
become preoccupied with
the future you experience
anxiety.
And if the future represents
a performance, then the
anxiety is nothing but
stage fright.
~ Fritz Perls
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October 2nd, 2023 at 5:35 am
Thankyou for that Steve as it was very timely. I often find myself thinking about the future, what may or may not happen and it’s the fear of the unknown. your definition made me laugh out loud as it is so true. All I am doing is worrying about how I may or may not cope, trying to control the future by rehearsing scenarios in my mind…as if I am going to have to perform! Wonderful to have it put in perspective. Lets hope I can remember this..:)
October 2nd, 2023 at 8:11 am
Actually I see anxiety as rooted in two bad habits, projection and constipation, and I think the two work together.
If I worry about the future and that raises anxiety which I then fail to discharge (by venting, say), the anxiety worsens.
On the other hand, if I’m unconsciously internalizing some feeling — fear or anger or sadness — that creates a tension in my body which my mind then attempts to rationalize: “Oh, I must be feeling this way because I’m worried about the future,” etc.
So it’s a chicken-and-egg thing. Sometimes projection leads to constipation, sometimes vice versa.
I once had an anxious client who obsessed about the future, especially his own mortality and that of his loved ones. But once he learned how to identify and express feelings — i.e., exchanged constipation for regularity — the obsessing ceased.
October 4th, 2023 at 8:17 am
That really helps Steve..
I am not always sure what feeling to attend to and what to let go by but i guess that acknowledging and thereby venting will always help.
Like you i too go into rationalisation mode immediately and this is where my work lies i reckon. To notice my mind doing this and then work backwards to the feeling and then allow it to come up. No need to judge it either.
Work in progress and not perfection 🙂