The Difference Between a Problem and a Situation

You know the song . . . the one that goes a little something like this:

"It's like raaiiiinnnn on your wedding day"

"A traffic jam, when you're already a late"

"A free ride, when you've already paid."

"It's the good advice, that you just didn't take."

Or am I the only Alannis Morisette fan in the group? Please say it isn't so:)

So why am I quoting Alannis Morisette other than to harken back to the good old days of the 90s? I want to talk about the difference between a problem and a situation, and why confusing the two can make us frustrated, angry, and miserable.

The situations above that Alannis sang about - those are situations. You can't control the weather. You have no say in the flow of traffic and you won't know when you might be blessed with a free ride. Stressing and worrying about things over which you have NO control is not helpful. Sure, it's annoying. Yes, a brief "ugh" of frustration or anger is understandable. But perseverating and trying to "fix" the weather or traffic longer than the initial feeling, only leads to prolonged agony.

On the other hand, a problem is something you can solve.

Problem: my phone battery dies every afternoon. Solution: bring charger or replace battery.

Problem: I'm always rushing in the morning. Solution: get things ready the night before

Problem: My friend misunderstood my text. Solution: talk to them and clarify

So when you feel frustrated or angry, ask yourself: Is this a situation or a problem?

If it’s a situation, recognize it and adapt. If it’s a problem, work to find a solution.

Because sometimes life really is like rain on your wedding day . . . and the best thing we can do is grab an umbrella and keep going.

Journal Prompts:

• What is something currently frustrating me? Is it a problem or a situation?

• If it’s a situation, what would acceptance look like?

• If it’s a problem, what is one small step I can take today?

• Where am I trying to control something that isn’t mine to control?

• What would it look like to adapt instead of resist?

• What energy might I free up by accepting this as a situation?

• Am I focusing more on what I can’t change or what I can?

Affirmations:

• I release what I cannot control.

• I focus my energy on what I can change.

• I can adapt, even when things don’t go as planned.

• Not everything is mine to fix.

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Office Hours:  Office Hours this month are on April 22. This is for Editor's Circle Coaching Members as well as any Guided Revision Coaching Members who would like to touch base between scheduled coaching appointments. HERE is the link to schedule a 30-minute slot

The Weekly Draft: Not meeting this week due to the Easter Holiday.