I'm doing 8 things
Of course, you’ll be hindered in general if you think of yourself in a negative way. Expecting the worst to happen sounds to me like what the cognitive behaviorists call catastrophizing. I’m not sure it’s quite the same as pessimism. I don’t think it’s necessarily to look at most people in a negative way. I don’t believe most people are trustworthy. That’s neither good nor bad; just how things are. I’m not sure pessimism and cynicism are undesirable things per se. Depending on the situation, cynicism and pessimism can make a lot of sense. (For example, I’d say if there are people who are truly optimistic about the military situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, then they are naive and bound to be disappointed.) Hope this helps a bit.
slackyb's Life List
-
1. Be able to extricate myself from those who wish to impose their religious beliefs on me.
1 person -
2. question the existence of the self.
1 entry . 1 cheer1 person -
3. subdue my anxieties
1 entry . 2 cheers3 people -
4. Quit stressing out about work tasks.
1 cheer1 person -
5. Quit worrying about my insomnia.
1 cheer1 person -
6. Convince myself that I am not unlovable.
4 cheers1 person -
7. Read no more than four books at a time.
1 cheer1 person -
8. Come up with some goals that I have a realistic chance of meeting in a short time.
1 person
How I did it
It made me
Satisfied 
How I did it: Put myself in the kind of places where fascinating people hang out: real, serious universities; art collectives; Anarchist collectives; music composition programs. Read how I did it…
It made me
Satisfied
How I did it: It's arrogant to claim that one's well read. But the site only gives one the choice between I've Done This and I'm Doing This. I have two degrees in comparative literature and guess that's helped somewhat. More to the point, I got enamored of reading at the age of 15 and have read at least two books that I consider at least somewhat serious every week since. Reading is a very productive way of living. If anyone wants to ask me about my ex… Read how I did it…
It made me
Resigned 
How I did it: I don't want to offend anyone with this, but my feeling is that most people are not trustworthy. All people will put on a good front and promise and offer the best. If one takes all people at their work, one should expect to be let down; disappointed, pretty often. I learned this from experience. (And it's true, I think, that people do mean well. It's just that it's very easy to promise something; very hard to follow through. Following th… Read how I did it…
See all "How I Did It" stories...
Recent entries
I have generalized anxiety disorder as well as panic attacks. If you want me to share any of my experiences, let me know.
When I read George Orwell’s 1984 when I was 15,I made a list of 10 ideas I thought the book was about. I guess it had never quite clicked with me that books could be about ideas. And the experience of reading 1984 made it clear to me, that, for whatever reason, I really, really enjoyed the experience of reading about ideas. I immediately launched into books of poetry, philosophy, essays, Eastern thought,and,eventually, fiction. I very quickly moved into the basic reading mix I’ve stuck with for years. I’ll read pretty much anything as long as I have the feeling I’m learning while I’m reading. After listening to music, I find reading the most consistently rewarding pleasure.
