When Someone Else’s Worries Aren’t Yours to Carry
- Dec 19, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 16
Five years ago, soup nearly sent me into a tailspin.
My mom—88 at the time—was living with us while waiting for a room at the independent center. It had been 156 days of waiting, and tension was simmering daily.
That afternoon, she peered into my 4-quart pot, lifted the can of Cream of Potato soup, and said, “I always make stock from scratch.” Her not-so-subtle jab stung—hard.
I swallowed it down. Family was minutes from walking in the door.
.
Later, after the house quieted and family hugs faded, I still felt the ache.
That’s when my painting Leading the Way caught my eye.
It reminded me of something I had momentarily forgotten: this soup tension was my issue, not Mom’s.
She had her way of living. I had mine.
That realization shifted everything.
3 Ways to Let Go of Worries That Aren’t Yours
1. Notice what you’re carrying.Tension often shows up as a tight jaw, a racing mind, or a short fuse. Pause before reacting and ask: What part of this is truly mine?
2. Separate compassion from ownership.Caring for someone doesn’t mean you have to carry their worry. You can offer empathy without absorbing their fear.
3. Find your restart ritual.For me, it’s art. For you, it might be journaling, gardening, or a long walk near water. Anything that helps you reset your energy and see clearly again.
Art has always been my reminder to keep moving forward—to let go of what doesn’t belong to me and create space for peace.Leading the Way still whispers that message every time I see it: Trust your steps. Release what’s not yours to carry.
Art has always been my reminder to keep moving forward—to let go of what doesn’t belong to me and create space for peace.
Leading the Way still whispers that message every time I see it: Trust your steps. Release what’s not yours to carry.
When I think back on that day, I realize how often art has helped me see my life more clearly.
If you enjoy stories like this—about resilience, restart moments, and finding calm through creativity—you’ll love my memoir, A Lone Birch: My Artistic Journey.
It’s a collection of real-life chapters behind the paintings, and the lessons they continue to teach me.
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