I'm Not Crazy

It's official: I'm not going crazy! And, likely, neither are you.

I've been "freaking out" over the last few years because I would sometimes find myself in a state of overwhelm, exhaustion, frustration, or utter disappointment in myself. I would think, "Oh my God, what is happening to me? Where did I go? Why do I have such a bad attitude? Am I going crazy?"

I've always been an overacheiver, notably or at least moderately good at anything I set my mind to, extremely self-sufficient and reliable, full of contagious energy and self-motivation...blah, blah, blah.

I recently and FINALLY figured out why I haven't consistently been this way since, oh, let's say 2001 (after the birth of my first son): This change in personal capacity and integrity aren't a symptom of some undiagnosed mental or biological deterioration. And it isn't that I have low self esteem or anything like that. Quite the contrary: It's that I have TOO MUCH self esteem.

"Say what?!" Right. I'm not going crazy at all. What's crazy is that I expect so much from myself. I haven't slowly become this unrecognizable person as I have feared. I haven't changed. But outside of who I am, it is my life, responsibilities, obligations, and priorities that HAVE changed.

I think this probably happens to a lot of us as we literally "run" through life. Things just keep piling on. And we expect ourselves to keep up the pace. Let's give ourselves a break!

I heard these affirmations recently on a CD with Jim Rohn. They are simple, but powerful, and they do something for me; Especially in those moments when I feel a hint of the "bad attitudes" coming on. I hope they do something for you to:

I love and approve of myself. (OK, OK. I agree. This one's a little too SNL Stuart Smalley, but it's important nonetheless.)

I gift myself with fairness and dignity.

I will achieve when I take on the right challenges.

I need to be in relationships with people who deserve me.

...Wow, I feel better already. (Wait...does that sound crazy?)