Preoccupation vs. Occupation.

The saying "worry less, worry more" is well known. But what does it really mean to us?

Preoccupation, as the word itself, indicates through the prefix «pre-» is to anticipate the occupation, the action. It implies a state of tension that anticipates something that should be done but, for various reasons, has not been carried out.

Worrying is directly associated with a somewhat weakened action. In the sense that, although there are serious situations that justify this concern, when it is frequent or recurrent it is usually a sign of something that is not being resolved.

We tend to worry about what is beyond our control because in these cases the way to decide and deal with it is difficult for different reasons. For example: if we are concerned about our own health issue or that of a loved one, this has some justification, because once certain necessary actions have been taken: medical consultations, following the instructions, etc. what happens is not entirely up to us.

But often, if not most, we worry about issues that could easily be resolved by decision and action on our part. However, sometimes we prefer to remain in the state of concern instead of taking action. And here we return to a field that we have spoken about many times before: avoidance, postponement of the act. Why do we avoid or delay choosing, deciding, and acting?

Dealing with, deciding, choosing, acting always implies a risk and a responsibility. Action and choice give us a sense of freedom, but many times we prefer the state of comfort that avoids decisions. Freud already said:

"Most people don't really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are afraid of responsibility."

What does this phrase tell us? That the action implies a "taking charge." Make that choice, take a step in a certain direction and face the consequences, whatever they may be. If we think about it from this perspective we see how much easier it is to worry, talk about it but do nothing about it.

Worry walks the opposite path of action, it goes backward, it keeps us in a comfortable place, but it generates fear, stress, and anxiety. Getting out of there is the challenge, it is taking a risk, but at the same time, making a commitment to alleviate the suffering that sometimes produces not-doing. In general, this position also produces some satisfaction, and that is why it is difficult to leave it.

Associated with this we can highlight the frequency with which passivity or inaction are associated with anxiety. Being sedentary increases concern precisely because there is less action at stake. In this context, it is not strange that vicious circles are created in which worry leads to more worry, increasing and feeding back the longer the action is delayed.

It is interesting to reflect on this notion because many times the term Occupation reminds us of those directives of constant productivity or those speeches that preached that by keeping yourself busy you avoid problems. That is not what is meant in this article. We speak of occupation in the sense of the action necessary to solve this or that problem. But from Psychology, we know very well that by "keeping ourselves constantly busy" many times we cover up or avoid resolving important issues.

Having said this, it is understood that neither constant and mechanical occupation nor constant inaction and passivity are the right paths to solve the problems that arise. When something is worrying, it is important to evaluate it and consider what actions we have available to resolve it.

 

 

Thank You