Peacefulness and Calm are Closer than You Think
To reduce anxiety, stay focused on managing outside influences.
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It took me an incredibly long time to discover that being with myself, giving myself space and time, and not frantically plotting and planning gave me a sense of calm. From this peace comes happiness and stability, which I do not want to give up. Indeed, letting go of what I couldn’t control made me realize how much I could enjoy.
At this time, there is no reason to fret. For the most part, everything is under control, given the circumstances. Nothing is severe enough to worry about unless I make myself anxious over imagined things. As someone with bipolar disorder, the extremes in moods change me personally throughout the day, so I tend to consider drastic measures when I’m worried or struggling to ease my suffering.
Those dooming thoughts and intense emotions cause great unrest and disturb my naturally peaceful and happy state. Over time, these moments compound to create maladaptive reactions and habits to simple yet frustrating events and situations. I then end up neglecting those I love and care about.
Developing a happy life takes time and effort. It also requires planning and perseverance. Much of this is done subconsciously by the entirety of our minds and mental constructions as we consciously take hold of those opportunities brought to our awareness and presented to us at the correct times. I enjoy watching this unfold and, in the process, show the courage needed to proceed.
I was always on the path to where I am today, with goals in mind, but I never thought it would be so idyllic. Many of my concerns and worries can be easily rationalized and assuaged so that I can find that low-level mania and hyperactive excitement with joy that so well supplements everyday life. I experience wonder regarding the minimal and am in awe of the bigger picture.
Aimee Sparrow is an author, applied philosopher, and mathematician who has been living with a mood disorder for more than a decade and advocates for happiness and inner peace. She is the author of Lunacy. Follow her website for more details.
