Both too many and too few commitments can cause
stress.
Letting go of commitments
Overcommitment occurs when you don't make choices among the various
options competing for your attention. The result is being less committed to
everything, which is stressful and unsatisfying. Choosing among possible
commitments is difficult, but it makes life easier, less stressful, and more
meaningful.
Letting go of a commitment does not mean giving up. It means
learning what's important to you, recognizing that you have limits, and
deciding carefully how you want to spend your time and energy. You may have
goals that are no longer as important to you as they once were, and other goals
that you neglect because you are spreading yourself too thin.
When you want or need to let go of something,
imagine holding it in your hand. Explain to it why you are letting it go, tell
it goodbye, and blow it away. Or imagine putting it in the basket of a hot air
balloon, untying the balloon, and watching it float away.
Accept
that your life is a "work in progress." You don't have to (and probably can't)
finish every project or meet every goal in your life in the near future. If one
of your goals has a lower priority for you, accept that you can work on that
goal later in your life.
Making commitments
People who are under a lot of stress are more likely to be
overcommitted than undercommitted. But sometimes stress comes from a lack of
commitment. If you need more commitment in your life, think about what is
important to you. Commitments made with an awareness of who you are and what
you want can be nurturing rather than stressful—the better you know yourself,
the more rewarding the commitment.
When you are ready to commit:
Do it. Give yourself to a new commitment as fully
as you can.
Be responsible. Take your commitment seriously.
Don't back out of obligations.
Be open. Be open to new ideas and suggestions, and
be ready to learn.
Don't commit when you are not ready. You are only adding to the
issues that require your energy. When you find yourself doing this, interrupt
your thoughts and repeat to yourself a phrase that reminds you of your plan,
such as "Don't borrow trouble."
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here.
