But what when the opposite happens?
I spoke to my dad the other day who asked me whether I had lots of Uni stuff going on at the moment as the end of semester and exams period are getting closer. The question struck me as I, honestly, haven’t even thought about it. Yes, I was aware that the final exams were pretty soon, but guess I had that attitude I’ll cope with it when it comes, it’s just a few exams, right? I’ll dedicate it a day or two beforehand and that’s it... But then that judgy voice jumped in: Why AREN’T you worried? What’s wrong with you? Everybody is superstressed about exams and you act like it’s none of your business. Look at them, from early morning studying for hours in library while you add a half-hour studying session now and then when you feel like it, between yoga classes, walks in nature, reading books for pleasure and painting pictures that are of no service to anyone.
So I made a list of all the things I had to do pre-exams and all the exams I have/want to take in few weeks time. And...oh my goodness! That hateful judgy voice started to giggle and then disappeared satisfied as I really became worried. I didn’t even know I had that many subjects! Anxiety, pressure and all those overwhelming and dirty stuff started to pile up inside my body, but luckily, I have enough experience with them as well, so I took a deep breath and reach out to another tool.
The 3rd sutra of the Aquarian Age says:
When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.
These simple, yet so powerful words are really all you need to remember when you start feeling overwhelmed. Their meaning is clear: when feeling pressured about a project or something you have to do, the way to release the anxiety is just: BEGIN. Take that first step and notice the pressure dissolving.
On the contrary, what adds on on the existing pressure and uncomfortable state we may be into is procrastination. We process and reprocess, lose our nerves about something that needs to be done but not actually taking any real action except thinking about it - and contrary to what we usually think about thinking - most of the times our thinking is completely useless and even damaging to our productivity and well being.
When you notice yourself procrastinating, try to not get all hateful and judgmental, but instead ask yourself what prevents you from starting.
Do you hold onto certain expectations about the outcome and you are afraid of even starting because you may fail to reach those expectations and that way disappoint yourself and feel unworthy?
Do you have some damaging beliefs about yourself that prevent you from moving forward?
Do you think you should do, be or think something that you aren’t in order to successfully cope with the task in front of you?
Be honest with yourself when posing questions and listening to the answers that raise from within. Even the simplest situations as the times when we procrastinate a task, using the laziness as the excuse, may be a wonderful opportunity to dig deeper and find out what limiting beliefs about ourselves we hold onto that prevent us to live more freely and fully.
When the times is on you, start, and the pressure will be off. It works every time. As soon as I got myself into dealing with university projects that are on my to-do list I felt the sudden sense of relief and that cozy, nice sense of subtle excitement and satisfaction that productivity gives.
Get back to this sutra every time you need it and experience the joy and strength that taking action brings you.
Lots of love,
Maja