Letting Go of Control

What is control? According to Dictionary.com, control as a verb means “to exercise constraint or direction over” or “to hold in check”. As a noun it means “the situation of being under the regulation, domination, or command of another”. There are so many instances in our daily lives where we use (or loose) control, from driving a car to instilling order in our home life or work life. Phrases like “control freak”, “out of control”, “under control”, “loose control” and “self control” can imply that we either have control or we do not. 

I find for myself, a sense of anxiety and worry rise up in me when I feel like I can’t control a particular situation or person. It somehow feels that if I can control the situation or person, then I will feel calm because I will then know exactly what to expect. However, this need to control an outcome inevitably leads to a level of anxiety and stress, as I don’t actually have control over many things. I can then feel angry, frustrated and so very anxious when things don’t go the way I want. If I can remember that what I truly have control over is my self, my actions and my reactions, then I can hopefully start to let go of trying to control other people or situations. 

If this is something that resonates with you, here is a chart that you may want to reference when you start noticing a desire to control others or a situation. You may add more to it if needed!

Feel free to email me with any questions, corrections or comments 🙂

Yours In Health,

Kirsten