It’s been days since I last blogged. I returned home from my four-day break filled with delicious alone time to be greeted by dirty plates, piles of washing and a lot of shouting. There really should be some sort of decompression chamber for mothers returning home after an absence.

Then work got a bit difficult and I started to stress. I always know when my stress levels are on the up because I get an itchy rash on my torso. Part of me currently looks as if it is in the middle of a measles outbreak.

Where was the magic?  Poof.  It was gone in a flash.

And there lies the lesson. It’s easy to feel all psyched up and magical when things are going well, but not so simple when the wheels are coming off. To be fair, nothing awful has happened, not by a long stretch, I simply let myself get worked up over things that didn’t warrant it.

So last night, I had a word with myself. This wasn’t the magical life I had promised myself over a week ago. What was I doing? In her books, Genevieve Davis had told me to roll with the punches and to know that set backs are a stepping stone to better things. However, I seemed to have forgotten this.

In my minds eye, I imagined the situations and people that are stressing me out to be musical instruments. One was a scratchy violin while another was a banging drum. The magical me is a beautiful tinkling harp and I don’t have to invite the discordant instruments in to the symphony that is my life. I can deal with them by remembering that I am a harp.

I do realise that this all sounds a bit mental in the cold light of day, but while I was lying there unable to get to sleep, it made perfect sense.

In the morning, I made a mental note of all the things that have happened to me that prove I am magical – from the times I’ve exhibited weird psychic skills through to moments where I have literally willed things to happen. Then I reminded myself that magical people do not sweat the small stuff, because big magic is in play.

I felt a whole lot lighter the next day and the situations that were rattling me seemed to fade into the background because I was no longer running through worse case scenarios every 5 seconds.

Worry is such a pointless exercise, but it can be like a rip tide that pulls you under. Once you are caught up, it can be hard to break free from worry. If you have to imagine you are a harp to do so, then so be it. Just find whatever works for you – as long as it’s not booze, fags or too much sugar (my own personal favourite).

Here are my 5 tips for dealing with worry:

1. Try and remember that right here, in this very moment, everything is okay (unless of course there is a lion behind you, in which case, run!).
2. Ask yourself if the thing that is bothering you will be of any consequence in 10 years time. If not, don’t fret. It too will pass.
3.  Remember, it is not what happens to you that matters – it is how you react to it. You can actually choose not to be stressed (as long as that lion isn’t breathing down your neck).
4. Talk to a friend who’s a good listener. Take in what they say, for they will reflect back the truth of the situation.
5. Forbid yourself from worrying about the thing that is giving you angst. Treat it like a couch to 5K regime. Start with 5 minutes and then build up, until half a day passes before you realise you haven’t ruminated on the thing that’s causing you bother.

Here’s to a worry free week!