I often post about emotions that I do not believe add great value to our lives.  These are real emotions and often driven unconsciously.  That is, we have to exert real conscious effort to take control of how we feel and ultimately govern our associated behaviours. 

Today’s pick is “worry” (closely related to anxiety).  Worry occurs when we allow our minds to dwell on difficulty or troubles.  In essence, this is a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.

Unpleasant

Worry is not a pleasant feeling.  Basically  by assuming the uncertain future is possibly or even probably going to be bad we create personal unhappiness  (worry is about things that have not happened yet, ergo uncertain).

If we share our worries with others personal unhappiness might spread like an epidemic.  Doing this might allow us to spread the burden of angst, thus lowering our own worry, but unfortunately raising that of others. 

Why Worry

Given worry is not pleasant, but a valid human emotion, what is the value?  

In short, we pay attention to the things we worry about, that is they become either top of mind or an omnipresent unsettling conscious thought that sticks with you until the worrisome thing occurs (or doesn’t).

The positive value can be attained if you consciously plan a solution to your worry and then executing on the plan.   This addresses the object of worry and mitigates or even fully removes the risk of negative consequence.

And, if unable to create a plan of attack to remove the worry, why bother continuing to worry, there is nothing you can do anyway.  Suck it up, toss the unpleasant feeling out the window and move on.