Control. Janet Jackson used the word best but do we have to always be “in control?” There are so many “conditions” these days that all involve the idea of control, whether it be our environments, our thoughts, our bodies, or the people in our lives. We are taught that if you want it done right “you gotta do it yourself.” This puts enormous pressure on our psyches because then if something goes wrong (which it inevitably does) its all our fault. The self blame starts and the “tightening our grip on life” develops…it’s a nasty cycle. But how do we as individuals, (not to mention creative, professional New Yorkers) let go of the one thing that we feel we have no control over, control itself. It’s painful to see a project turned in that’s “less than perfect.” Its frustrating when our partner doesn’t put the cap back on the toothpaste and it certainly sucks when someone doesn’t show up on time and you’re forced to sit in a restaurant with nothing to do except pretend to check your voicemail. It’s exhausting and self defeating the way we treat our selves, our lives and our bodies (God forbid we don’t turn down that carrot cake!) My boyfriend told me to “lighten up” the other day. I took that to mean “lose a few pounds.” I guess our minds just won’t give us a break. After all we have work to do.
