It’s OK.
This is my new affirmation banner from Secret Holiday. I haven’t found the right place to hang it yet, but it’s already making me feel good in its temporary spot. It’s pretty great, yeah? I’m not usually one for inspirational posters (I always think of the “Hang in There!” kitten), but I think this banner is exactly what I need in my life.
The word OK is hugely comforting for me. About a year ago, I wrote a post about body image and self-acceptance called “I’m OK”, and I come back to it all the time when I’m feeling down on myself. There’s a reason it wasn’t called “I’m perfect” or even “I’m fine.” The word OK implies something else—it takes into account a certain amount of shortcoming, I think, and makes it alright. OK.
I had dinner with Jenna the other night, and we talked about the practice of looking at the worst case scenario as a means to bring peace of mind. That might sound counterintuitive, but think about it—if you let yourself look at the worst possible outcome when faced with either a situation that seems beyond your control or with making a decision that feels impossible, where does that outcome actually leave you? Are you still putting one foot in front of the other? Are you still sleeping in a bed at night? Of course horribly tragic things can happen at any time, but for the most part, you’ll probably be alright—and more than likely, you won’t even have to face that worst case scenario. Accept the shortcomings, accept the negatives, and be glad that everything is pretty OK.
OK? OK!
Ok by me! That makes a lot is sense :)
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Wow, am I first in? I feel honoured! X
Yes! We’re ok! We’re all gonna be ok!
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I’m so glad we had that conversation, and that it was just a few hours after this banner came in the mail.
Can’t even. I clung to that word like a life raft after a bereavement till I came out the other side. Thank you, you’ve made me cry now, in a good way. A snotty tear totally just landed on the phone’s delete button, and deleted the comment. Had to start over, as you do x
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It can become like a mantra, you know? xx
Thinking about the worst case scenario totally works! I always try to do this when things start to “seem out of control/crazy.”
What a great little banner!
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Ok :)
No matter what the world is made this way so we end up ok. I believe that.
:: Marta
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i’m ok. you’re ok. (well, more than in my opinion, but you know what i mean). :) xo
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I really, really needed this today.
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Word.
My entire life has recently taken steps in some crazy directions (everything from work life to home life!) and it sometimes feels overwhelming, but I try to remind myself that I’m doing OK. Sometimes, better than OK.
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I think I need that in my life, it’s just perfect right now
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It’s around this time of the year that I start looking for something to carry me forward and it was the other day I realised that I didn’t need nor did I want to set up any big ideas or plans for 2012 and that it was ok. I happened upon a post with this banner and ordered it immediately. I need the reminder that it’s ok to be where I am right now – it’s where I need to be, the big things are in train, I have good people in my life and I’ll get where I need to be eventually.
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That was a great post. I was just venting to a co-worker before I read this about something that really doesn’t matter. This has helped my realize that, so thank you.
Also, I kind of like that there’s a light bulb right above the banner.
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Love this, Anna. Sometimes we need a little reminder like that. I am going thru a hard time now, and at times, I just need a good cry and tell myself that it will be ok. :)
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I’m planning a (very personal) quilt for my brother, who is going through a rough time.
I will make an additional small quiltblock just saying this – IT’S OK.
Thank you, Anna, for the inspiration :-)
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That’s lovely, Rosa, and what a wonderful thing to do for your brother.
Two years ago my mother had stage 4 cancer. In order to not go crazy with fear -or become a manipulative force in her life at that time- made a list in my head, one part was what could be the advantages of her becoming better, the other was what could be the advantages of her dying (cruel as that may sound). That list made it possible for me to be relaxed and open in that situation and help her best I could at that time.
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It doesn’t sound cruel, Simone. These are the things we have to do in order to get through life. You’re right—facing fear is what allows us to be emotionally available to the ones we love. I’m glad you were able to do that for your mother.
i’m totally with you. looking at the worst case scenario is actually very soothing for me. it allows me to dismiss my tendency to freak out and blow things out of proportion and simply focus on doing the best that i can with what i am given.
you’re ok, anna. and you know what else? you’re also pretty great.
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reminds me of Harvey Keitel telling Tim Roth “You’re gonna be OK, You’re gonna be OK” in the back of the car in the opening of Reservoir Dogs
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Um, yeah, I guess that is the worst case scenario. :\
I love it. I’ve been trying to have a little it’s ok mantra as things get even more crazy stressful. (& read the last line of this post from the other day!! http://www.verhext.com/clementine)
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I’m really behind on blog reading, so I’m glad you linked to that post. We are OK, definitely.
I’m so behind. I actually really like when people tweet their new blog posts, because it means I’ll actually go read it.
I love this too, especially in Greek. For me, it’s the way the word is spoken to mean slightly different things, but always a form of acceptance and encouragement.
“Entaxi” = “Alright. that’s fine, you did your best. “Entaxi, entaxi” = “Okay, go ahead.” “Entax” = “ok.”
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this post is beautiful. a few years ago when i battled some insane anxiety, my “therapist” (she was actually a book on tape, but whatev) advised that when you’re feeling out of control/anxious/stressed/depressed, follow your thoughts and brain to that worst case scenario place. you’ll find that yes, you still have a place to sleep and someone to love.
or at least a dog. ;)
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I love the “I’m OK” mantra, and the multi-meaning power that can be put into something like that. As a chronic worrier myself I have a phrase too (thanks to a few chat seshs with an anxiety counselor) which is “I did the best I could”. I like it because it means my “best” (something I always want to give) changes with the circumstances I’m presented with. Sometimes even my worst is the best I could do on a given day.
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love the banner. I’m not one for self affirmation banners, but this one works.
As a fairly new mom (we have a 1 yr old) I have adopted this similar practice- of worst case scenario. por ejemplo – when I’v had a crap day of motherhood where my one sweater looks like a banana sneezed all of it- I think, “Well at least we are safe, and not starving in a refuge camp!” twisted, yes, but it helps me to see the bright side and to ultimately be grateful. So I know what you mean!
~abigail
aka @GrayDayShop and tiptoethrough.blogspot
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Wow, I really needed to read this today. Thank you for the inspiration Anna!
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May I just say a huge GRAZIE for this post? I’m worst-case-scenarioing a lot this days, mobbing at work is bound to leave me redundant and with no way of facing every day expences (rent, bills, etc). Situation in our country is so bad that a different job isn’t an option. So I think, what will I do when I’ll have to give up al my (small) sicurities? And the answer is: I’ll be OK. I’ll manage. Somehow. Thank you again. I so needed this!
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