You Can't Fix "Crazy"!

With these wise words, a friend described the process of learning how to step back from other people’s craziness. Life is full of circumstances that can appear irritating, annoying or overwhelming.  Trying to fix "crazy" is one example. 

How we react to other people and their circumstances is a measure of our well-being. The ability to "let go" is a practice that can benefit anyone who has had it up to here with other people’s issues.   

Asking yourself the question, “Would I rather be right or happy?” is another way to let go. Once we can let go of having to be right, a new possibility occurs. We can experience something like inner peace, or well-being.  Well-being as an inside job, the inner declaration that all is well, no matter what it may look like on the outside.

You can strengthen your sense of well-being through daily practice.  A well-being practice is anything that brings you joy—like taking a walk on the beach, playing  guitar, working out, singing in the shower, writing a poem…  

But did you ever notice that when you’re feeling really stressed, you never have time for the things that make you feel better? So not doing the well-being practices leaves you feeling worse! So, what if the remedy for stress could be as simple as adding well-being practices to our day.  Five minutes of practicing what brings you joy can restore and strengthen well-being.   Maybe we can’t fix "crazy", but we can let go of the need to fix crazy. When we let the crazy go, we can learn to be with our own well-being. What if self-care is where it all begins?

Susan Dingle LCSW CASAC is a therapist on the North Fork providing counseling for tweens, adolescents and adults. She is currently accepting new clients, and can be reached at 631/734-8658.