this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2026
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"Avoid stress" is code for don't worry about things you have no control over.
Thinking I have no control over things feels defeatist
You can control things, just not everything.
Well yea. My point is, there is very little you have "no control" over; and "things I can influence" is where stress comes from
Y'all have never been to court ordered alcoholics anonymous meetings and it shows.
Reinhold Niebuhr wrote the first known version of the Serenity Prayer, and it's been through a few revisions just by popular word of mouth or even literal Hallmark greeting cards, but the version they say at AA meetings is:
The basic principle can be decoupled from the religious origins and still be a useful approach to life. Learn not to stress about the things not in your control, while still taking control of the influence you do have.
Where to get my next meal, is something I don't always have control over. Unfortunately it's also not something I can stop worrying about.
Edit: made it clear that my situation is much better now, but it wasn't always.
Huh? Where and what you eat is absolutely something you have control over. A war in Iran raising prices on food is not something you have control over.
Oh yeah? I'm jealous you never had to worry about what job to do in the economy that will feed me. I had few months where I was going door to door, hoping someone wants their lawn mowed or windows washed so I can eat that night. And I'd say I'm privileged ones because I knew this kind man who was willing to lend me his tools to mow and to clean windows. I'm lucky because I got a scholarship for tuition for university and I don't have to worry about what to eat anymore.
But for the few months I relied only on window washing and lawn moving, I remember I at least had 4-5 days where despite going through 100s of houses, no one needing the services. But Please tell me how absolute of a control I had about what I eat with 0 earnings in that day and my networth being essentially 0. I guess absolute control I had was starve.
Not trying to get into a poverty contest with you. You mistook me clarifying what I said as a challenge against your life experiences.
To reiterate: don't stress about things you have no control over. Stressing about it won't change anything. That time and energy is better spent stressing about the things you do have control over.
Is code for "just don't have anxiety or burnout! It's easy!"
Maybe you not liking the taste of boot is some kind of mental illness? Or maybe you just need more drugs. No I will jot prescribe them. Yes I will judge you.