Have you ever wanted to free yourself from anxiety? Recently, I was stuck on a tarmac in a plane. I remember feeling anxious to get home to my family. I was frustrated that we were wasting time because the airport didn’t plan its take-off schedule effectively. But this wasn’t the real reason I felt anxious, I was in a situation I didn’t want to be in and I had no control over it.
No matter how much we like to feel in control, things do not always go according to plan. That’s a part of life. The longer we sat there without moving, the more my anxiety grew. In reality, I had no control over how soon I got home and I knew I had a choice to make. I chose to accept the situation for what it was. Then I was able to choose how to best spend my energy: I chose to talk to my neighbor and then take a nap. Would I have traded that to get home a half hour sooner? Absolutely! However, in choosing to accept what I couldn’t change and, in essence, make the best of it, I freed myself from spending the remainder of the flight feeling anxious and frustrated as the minutes passed.
Imagine a life free from anxiety…
David Richo wrote a book I often recommend to clients struggling with anxiety: The 5 Things We Cannot Change, The book is based on his development of the five unavoidable givens – five facts of life over which we are powerless. They are five of the most difficult truths to accept; they are facts we spend a lot of time and energy trying to control.
So what is radical acceptance?
Principals of radical acceptance suggest that is it helpful to acknowledge the situation without judging what is happening or criticizing it. Radical acceptance does not mean that we agree with what is happening in our lives or that we like it. It simply means we are choosing to acknowledge. Letting go of things we cannot control can create a sense of freedom and happiness. Here are simple steps to free yourself from anxiety.
Radical Acceptance of The Five Things We Cannot Change
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Life is not always fair.
If we are willing to accept that life is not always fair and that reality is beyond our control, we can let go, believe in our resilience, and have faith in the bigger plan instead of suffering through anger, resentment, and grudges.
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Everything changes and ends.
All things, both good and bad in life, evolve, change and inevitably end. By accepting this fact we allow ourselves to practice mindfulness, appreciating where we are in the moment.
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Things do not always go according to plan.
It’s like the old saying, “Things go best for those who make the best of things.” It’s hard to accept when things don’t go the way we are hoping. By accepting this fact of life, we can discover the best of things without the hindrance of resentment and fear, free from anxiety.
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Pain is a part of life.
Pain is hard. Accepting pain and moving through it is even harder. If we can acknowledge the pain, we can allow ourselves to feel it, heal and grow from it instead of being stuck trying to control it or stuff it down.
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People are not loving and loyal all the time.
By recognizing that no matter what we do, people will not be loving and loyal all the time, we let go of the need to hurt or reject those who have disappointed us. We are then able to think more clearly about what is and how we can set boundaries within our relationships moving forward.
Learning to accept and even embrace the idea that there are some things we just cannot control helps us to practice radical acceptance. It’s important to accept what is without judgment or criticism. We benefit by letting go of the struggle to control the uncontrollable. We often get ideas in our minds of how we expect things to go. When they don’t go that way, we will continue to try to “force” things to still work out. While it gives us a sense of control, it’s a false sense of control that creates anxiety and frustration. Jessamyn West said, “We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don’t, it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions.”
Take a moment to think about the last time you were anxious or frustrated. Did the situation fit into any of these five categories? Consider how your perspective, and ultimately your emotions, might have changed if you had accepted it instead of fighting to control it. One of the most helpful tools in treating anxiety is learning to shift your perspective and practicing radical acceptance.
If you are struggling with anxiety and would like to learn more tools to manage your anxiety, contact us, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about individual counseling or treatment for anxiety. Our therapists specialize in treating anxiety and would love to help you discover a life free from anxiety. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Sometimes a change of circumstances can bring about anxiety. Check out our blog: 6 Ways To Improve How You Navigate Change