Shrug it off.
Late last year as I was tearing around doing a bazillion things the radio presenters coming through my car speakers suddenly caught my attention. They were talking about letting things slide in the spirit of Christmas. People texted and called in about all manner of things they were letting slide because, well, it was Christmas.
It was fun, and funny, and a laugh, but it got me thinking. It’s almost March and I’m still thinking on it.
Let it slide.
Shrug it off.
It was a bit of a revelation let me tell you. Now, this will come as no surprise to my nearest and dearest, but I can be a bit of a perfectionist and with that comes a level of anxiety that may not be all that healthy.
But the thing is, many of the things that get me worked up are really not all that worth it. Reindeer antlers on cars for example, are they really hurting me? No, not really, so how about I let them slide. Shrug it off.
Traffic moving slowly. No way around it. Nothing I can do. Shrug it off.
Leggings worn as pants. Does it really make a difference to my day? No. Mainstream pop music is not my thing, but seriously, does it matter if someone else likes it? Nope. Shrug it off.
The way I see it, these things are out of my control. What do they matter in the grand scheme of things? They don’t. I suspect that getting worked up over some things says more about me than it does about the person or thing I find worthy of my wrath. I suspect waxing lyrical about how my music is better, my taste in books more highbrow, my clothes a better choice says more about my need for approval than anything else.
So, since hearing this I have been putting it into practice. Let me tell you, my life is a lot less angst filled. Am I an angel? No. Do I slip up? Sometimes, but I then remind myself it really doesn’t matter, and shrug it off.
Life is too short, too full, too busy to be spending it getting worked up about things that really do not matter.
Shrug it off. The weight has been lifted.
So, can you, do you shrug it off?
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I have been trying so hard not to sweat the small stuff; to let things slide.
I am a perfectionist too; but I also overthink/analyse every last little detail to the point where I was crying at the drop of a hat and being overly moody. Was horrible.
I’ve been writing things down, so getting it out of my brain; and at times trying to remember where the problem falls in the scheme of things.
I’m also far too busy to let every little thing get to me.
Carly recently posted..Wearing White
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Naomi Reply:
February 26th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Writing it down is a good idea. It’s easy ( for me at least) to get worked up over every little detail, but getting it out of your head is a great thing to do.
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Wise words.
I’m wondering if this ability to rationalize and shrug accordingly is something that comes with *cough* age?
Yes some are shruggers are young but others take their time to get there. We need to learn what is really important to stay faithful to who we are and what we believe.
The most important thing is that you know when to shrug and when to love, care, empathize and embrace.
You my friend will always have that x
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Naomi Reply:
February 26th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Ah yes, age… I’m sure I’m mellowing with the passing of years.
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Oh and the other thing we need to recall is to reread for tense, spelling and syntax prior to posting *slaps forehead *
But you know? In the scheme of things its not important. Building a bridge. Getting over it. Shrugging it off x
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Naomi Reply:
February 26th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Xxx
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I am a shrugger-offerer about some things – traffic especially. If other people get all arsey on me, I tend to get even more shruggy offerey. BUT, when it’s to do with my fam – I can’t….
Arrrggg! xx
Lucy recently posted..Male. Friends. Men.
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Naomi Reply:
February 26th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Family is a different thing altogether isn’t it. X
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I’m trying to do the same. I’ve spent a large chunk of my life worrying – but I don’t remember what I was all worried about. It just isn’t worth it, and I’m trying to save it for the big things that will inevitably crop up at various points in life.
Megan @ Writing Out Loud recently posted..A little break and a promise to myself
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Naomi Reply:
February 26th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Exactly! Your post on this just the other day reminded me to finish this post. The small things just aren’t worth the worry x
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I’m getting better – and it’s very liberating.
x
My mantra has been “Different Shar. Different – no better and no worse, just different”!
Great perspective, Naomi.
Mum on the Run recently posted..Sorry and Sorrow
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Naomi Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
I live your motto. X
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I sometimes shrug, i need to shrug more….somedays when I do shrug I am so pleased with myself other days i agonise, contemplate, overthink & over analyse. (esp when it comes to trying to get my toddler to nap…trying to shrug that one off!).
Yes shrugging is good for the soul & so are shruggies
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Naomi Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Napping toddlers (or lack thereof ) is hard to shrug off, but smaller things are easy by compassion. Hope you get some toddler napping soon x
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I totally agree, except about the leggings as pants issue. I cannot let that go.
I’m very good about not worrying about things I can’t change. Traffic, the only 24 hours in a day thing, the washing mountain – all bit a problem. It’s the things I know I can change that hurt me. But who has the time (refer above – that 24 hous issue) to change everything they need to!?!?
I must learn to shrug more.
x
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Naomi Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Learning to shrug about leggings as pants was such a huge thing for me. I realised I was the one judging – who was I to do that? I don’t so much like it, as just not let it get to me anymore (if that makes sense)
As for the things we can change, that’s hard, and it’s something to look at and work on at changing. For me though, being able to shrug off the little things has been huge – the nig things seem easier to cope with now.
As for changing everything we need to – you’re right there are only 24 hours in a day!
x
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