Quill / Moments / Quotes for an anxious mind
Quotes for an anxious mind
You read the message again. You sent it an hour ago. It said what it said, and you've now found three other ways it could be taken.
Then there's the night before something, when your mind runs through everything that could go wrong, in order. People describe naming it, “that's overthinking”, or asking whether the thought is realistic or only loud. Some write it in a phone note. Many give their head a dull, easy job and leave the big problems for the morning. Others credit a therapist or a doctor most of all, and that's a conversation for them, away from an app.
These lines are slow and plain, and they keep to the present. They make no promises about how things will turn out, and a quote can't treat anxiety.
The moments
- Rereading a message you've already sent
- The night before, running through everything that could go wrong
- Your heart going hard before something small
- Checking the phone again for a reply
- A crowded room coming up on Saturday
- Catching the thought as it gets to the worst case
What people say helps
- Writing the worry down, even in a phone note
- Naming the thought when it arrives
- Asking whether it's realistic or only loud
- Giving the mind an easy, dull job
“Calm down” and “it's all in your head” dismiss the feeling, so people tend to feel worse and more alone after hearing them.
Quill Originals are written by Quill. Popular sayings are widely repeated lines with no name attached. Lines with a name are checked word for word against public-domain books.
Quill Originals
Loud and likely are two different things.
Your head's in next Thursday. Your feet are in the kitchen.
You've run through tomorrow eleven times. It hasn't changed.
That's the loop. You've met.
That crowded room is coming up. You can stand near the door.
You're allowed a sit down after that.
You can skip the post-match analysis on this one.
Your brain has reached the worst case again. It knows the way.
You noticed. That's enough.
You've held a full review of one small joke.
The thing you're waiting on doesn't know you're awake.
The alarm is set, and you looked twice.
What's actually in front of you, right now?
Feet flat, back against the chair.
Nervous and here is a very respectable combination.
Being a nervous person and a brave person are the same person some days.
You've had this exact thought before. It said the same things then.
Sit for a moment.
Everything you could prepare tonight is prepared.
Awake at this hour, everything has a sharp edge.
Open the window.
A simple game on your phone is a fair way to wait.
Popular sayings
A problem shared is a problem halved.
You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.
Most of what you worry about never happens.
From the books
You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.
Read the passage around this line
“Come, come; this is all an effusion of immediate want of spirits, Edward. You are in a melancholy humour, and fancy that any one unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by every body at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope. Your mother will secure to you, in time, that independence you are so anxious for; it is her duty, and it will, it must ere long become her happiness to prevent your whole youth from being wasted in discontent. How much may not a few months do?”
Leave all else to time, truth, and steadfastness.
Read the passage around this line
“I have avoided saying one word to either of you or to Esther,” said Mr. Jarndyce, “until now, in order that we might be open as the day, and all on equal terms. I now affectionately advise, I now most earnestly entreat, you two to part as you came here. Leave all else to time, truth, and steadfastness. If you do otherwise, you will do wrong, and you will have made me do wrong in ever bringing you together.”
The most terrible misfortunes are also the most improbable and remote—the least likely to occur.
Read the passage around this line
Do not omit to sacrifice to evil spirits. What I mean is, that a man should not hesitate about spending time, trouble, and money, or giving up his comfort, or restricting his aims and denying himself, if he can thereby shut the door on the possibility of misfortune. The most terrible misfortunes are also the most improbable and remote—the least likely to occur. The rule I am giving is best exemplified in the practice of insurance,—a public sacrifice made on the altar of anxiety. Therefore take out your policy of insurance!
What we do is short, what we shall do is doubtful, but what we have done is certain, and out of the power of fortune.
Let the world find its way to you.
The terrors of the storm are chiefly confined to the parlor and the cabin.
Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.
Is any one surprised at being cold in winter? at being sick at sea? or at being jostled in the street?
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