Edith here, where it’s hot and windy like the desert.
But I’m not worrying about it. That’s my summer mantra this year.
So much to worry about in all aspects of life, and so little time. I could get very caught up 
in, for example, worrying if I do enough promotion for my books. I’ll see that a friend, even a Wicked Cozy friend, has a guest post on a widely read blog that I guested on last year. I can worry about why I wasn’t asked this year, or that I forgot to invite myself. I can worry if I’ve contacted enough bookstores and libraries about my books, reached out to the wrong reading audience, forgotten to send a press release. And then worry that all will affect my sales.
On the other hand, I could worry that I’m flogging my books TOO much, that potential readers are sick of me mentioning (gently, I hope) that a book is on sale this month, that I got a really nice review, or that my new newsletter is out. If they find all that irritating, will they drop me from their To Be Read pile?
Ya know what? I’m not worrying about that. I’m here to write the best book I can, and then to write another one. I’ve done the best I can, and the Events tab on my web site looks pretty full for some months in a row. Well, then I could worry that I’m NOT writing the best book I can. Or that the best book won’t be good enough. I still haven’t heard if Kensington will renew the Local Foods contract. I’ve written an entire historical mystery that isn’t even under contract, and I could worry that it never will be, that no one will want to read it. I could definitely worry that my decision to quit my day job to write fiction full time was foolhardy.
But I’m not going to worry about any of that. One could say there are more important things to worry about: will my retirement savings last, for example? Will my cats get sick 
or run over? Will something disastrous happen to my health, to Hugh’s, to my sons’? What about world events? Climate change??
If I start worrying about all that, though, I’ll NEVER write any books. I’d never even leave the house, and might cower in a corner whimpering.
No, it’s summertime. I’m going to keep writing every morning, hit the beach near sunset, enjoy a G&T and a good mystery. I’ll continue to recycle, live frugally, drive my Prius conservatively, 
and work for peace where possible. I have to assume that life will bring me what it will bring me, whether I worry or not.
Of course, as Hugh likes to say: to ASSUME just makes an Ass out of yoU and Me. One more thing not to worry about!
Readers: what do you worry about? What’s your best strategy for not worrying?
I never worry while I’m reading. I do a lot of reading. 🙂
Sounds perfect, Gram!
I like that too, Gram. 🙂
I distract myself from worry, but I try to do start my day with a brief time for undirected contemplation. That starts my day with clarity. Somedays it takes me further than other days. 🙂
What a wonderful practice, Reine. I’ve been trying to start a daily meditation at eleven in the morning, after my early writing time. It does lend clarity to the day.
Don’t worry, be happy!
Working on that!
My, this sounds familiar! I would add a couple of other mantras: “You can’t do everything.” And “I’m not responsible for this [fill in the blank].” And “At least I tried.” (Isn’t there a biblical saying that I’ve seen on tombstones, “She did the best she could”?)
“You can’t do everything” is definitely a corollary, as is “She did the best she could!”
I admit to being a constant worrier, yet I am so quick to tell others, “Don’t worry about that.” I feel your pain, Edith. ;o)
Ah yes, Erlyne. Always easier to dish advice than to live it.
I could use some serious “no worry” advice right now. Finances are keeping me from sleeping, and my job isn’t coming close to paying the bills. Hope I get a couple of roommates soon to cover it, or a better job comes along in the next three months. I keep praying about it, but then I start worrying again in 10 minutes. I’ve never been good at letting things go, I guess.
Me, either, Mark. I’m one for being wide awake, tossing and turning, and worries about finances are somehow the worst because they threaten your security. I’ll say to you what I wish someone had said to me, “It will all be okay.” And it was. Eventually.
I’m sorry you’re in a tight spot, Mark. It can be terrifically hard to let things go and trust it will improve. Wish I knew anybody out there who was looking for housing!
Mark, I totally hear you. I agree with Barb, that it will all be okay, even though I have to remind myself of that daily lately….but it will. Keep the faith.
Edith, this is a great reminder. I’m a recovering worrier, and I’ve found that doing lots of positive affirmations and trying to focus my attention on better things than what I’m worrying about helps. Some days are harder than others!
I’m going to have to quote Igor (Mel Brooks’ character in “Young Frankenstein”) again: “It could be worse. It could be raining.” I would drink a ‘caipirinha’ and listen to “Because I’m Happy”!