Once upon a time in a small village, nestled in the West Riding, there lived a malignant witch. She was feared by all due to her dark powers and mischievous ways. But what set her apart from the other witches was her mode of transportation – a bike. Yes, this witch, with her flowing black robe and pointy hat, would ride through the village on her cackling bike, spreading terror wherever she went. The residents of the village would lock their doors and cower in fear as the witch cycled past their homes. The sound of her bike's rusty chain echoed through the quiet streets, sending shivers down their spines.
Repeating entire conversations in your head is a type of rumination. It’s how your mind attempts to self-soothe.
Moreover, 6 months later it was observed that the most significant predictor of posttraumatic symptoms was intrusive rumination, whereas deliberate rumination was the most significant predictor of posttraumatic growth. Try to see your worry as one small data point in the larger continuum of your life or as one small wave in the ocean of humanity That ain t but a zit on the face of time.
The sound of her bike's rusty chain echoed through the quiet streets, sending shivers down their spines. Children would hide behind their parents, and even the bravest of souls would tremble at the sight of this wicked witch from the west. One fateful day, the witch devised a wicked plan to cast a spell on the entire village.
Persistent magical rumination
Typical beliefs and assumptions that fuel worry: (Shearer & Gordon, 2006)
Intolerance for uncertainty: "If I think about this enough, I should feel a sense of certainty."
Intolerance for discomfort: "If I can just think this through, I won't have to feel this way."
Inflated sense of responsibility and culpability: "If bad things happen, it's my fault."
Distorted risk assessment/emotional reasoning: "If it feels likely, it is likely. If it feels dangerous, it is dangerous."
Perfectionism--mistakes are unacceptable: "Mistakes mean I wasn't in control and screwed up."
Pessimism/presumed incapability: "Bad things will happen to me and I won't be able to deal with it."
Misconstrued virtue: "Worry shows how deeply I care about my children."
Overvaluation of the thought process: "Because I have a thought, it is, therefore, an important thought, and I must give it my full attention and get it settled. I can anticipate and avoid discomfort by worrying."
"Meta-worry" or worry about worrying: "I'm making myself sick. I'm going to bring on an early heart attack. I'm out of control. I'm weak. If my faith was stronger, I wouldn't worry."
Implicit magical beliefs: "Worry prevents bad things from happening. It keeps loved ones safer."
- The limits of reassurance: If reassurance doesn't work the first time, it's probably not going to work so don't keep trying to make it work. The temporary relief you feel when reassured simply sets up your next need for reassurance. Plus, when you go looking for reassurance enough, you will usually uncover something new to worry about!
- The limits of worry suppression: What we resist persists. Often, the more we try to directly suppress worry, the more we worry.
- Indeed, control of thought content is the problem, not the solution. "Ironic processes" in our thinking and behaving seem to leave us inclined to think about that which we are striving not to think about (see Wegner).
- Worry and religious faith: Your faith or your prayers may help to dampen worry, but, if not, can leave you worrying about your faith as well! Aim for meditative prayer and guidance in coping more effectively rather than supplicatory prayer asking that your worries be removed. Do not make your worries the litmus test of your faith.
- Worry and insomnia often become a vicious circle. When you worry, sleep onset is delayed and when sleep onset is delayed, you worry about not sleeping. Then, as another example of ironic processes, the more important it becomes that you must sleep and the more you strive to make yourself go to sleep, the less readily you fall asleep. For occasional insomnia, accept that it's okay if you stay up, it's okay if you "just rest," and it's okay if you're tired and not at your best tomorrow.
- "Predictability diminishes worry by increasing our sense of power, even if the predictions are dire." (Hallowell)
- "The certainty of misery is better than the misery of uncertainty." (Pogo the cartoon character from the 1960's) For example, some people who have for many years lived in consuming fear of cancer only to develop cancer have commented that dealing with the reality of cancer is actually easier than dealing with the uncertainty that they might get cancer.
- Worry as manifest in various disorders: (Shearer & Gordon, 2006)
Strategies for Reducing Chronic Worry or Rumination:
- Reframe most thoughts as "cerebral noise" or "mind junk" rather than important data that must be examined carefully. Distinguish "good" and "bad" worry whenever possible. Don't be your own worst enemy by indulging yourself in worries and by rationalizing your continuing to do so as if you could think your way to feeling better.
- Learn to accept the presence of a worried thought without having to take it so seriously and without having to get rid of it. How do you (overtly and covertly) value and seek worry? How do you worry about worry and (overtly and covertly) try to avoid it? In other words, how do you get locked into a vicious circle of (overt and covert) approach and avoidance or reassurance-seeking?
- Try using "scheduled worry" periods. Instead of indulging your worries by giving them your full attention whenever they intrude or by trying to avoid them, set up two or three 15-20 minute periods per day when you give your worries your complete attention. When worries intrude at other times during the day, try to defer them to your next scheduled worry period.
- Learn mindfulness meditative techniques that encourage being a passive observer of worried thoughts rather than having to be an active participant in the worrying process. For example, picture your worried thought written on a banner pulled by an airplane and watch it fly around your mind without reacting to it; or, picture your worries as bubbles that burst as they rise into your consciousness; or, picture your worries as sticks in a stream. (See Kabat-Zinn)
- Seek cognitive therapy that focuses on common cognitive distortions that fuel worry. Learn de-fusion skills to give yourself a degree of separation from recurrent worry content.
- Examine irrational beliefs that often underpin worry, such as: "The world should be fair and just." "I must be liked by everyone." "To be worthwhile, I must be thoroughly competent & exceptional." "I should be free of pain, hassle or discomfort at all times." "I cannot bear it when things are not as I would like them to be." "I can avoid misfortune by worrying."
- Strive to relinquish the need for control and certainty. The quest for both may seem irresistible and compelling at the moment, but, over time, it is entirely futile and merely perpetuates worry.
- Try methods to dampen bodily and cognitive mobilization. However, remember that your goal is to do such things while worried thoughts still rattle around your mind, not to do such things so effectively that you somehow eliminate worried thoughts! Learn relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing skills. Practice prayer, mindfulness, meditation or inspirational readings. Take a yoga class or use a yoga videotape regularly. Exercise or dance. Get a massage. Listen to your favorite music. Cultivate humor in yourself and others; rent a funny movie. Always have in progress a book that you enjoy reading. Converse with a confidant. Keep a journal. Keep a record of irrational worries and rational rejoinders. Minimize stimulants; minimize alcohol. Use a rocking chair. Learn and practice good sleep hygiene. Contribute your time and energy to someone else. Make healthy relationships your priority--if not now, when?
- Have a plan for action--not the "right plan" or the "perfect plan"--just a reasonable plan. What is the perceived threat to your vital interests? How are you vulnerable? Do you really have the facts? One can't escape one's own imagination or run away from what "could" happen. Arousal of the "fight or flight" response with no place to go leads to "freeze" (i.e., inhibition of action). Once you have a plan, don't keep checking on it--store it. In general, some kind of action is usually preferable to spinning your wheels. Likewise, some kind of large muscle activity is usually better than thinking even more. You are very, very unlikely to think your way to feeling better.
- Learn to take a mindful approach to moment-to-moment living: 1. Stay in the here-and-now instead of "catastrophizing" and "what-ifing" about what could happen. (Try focusing on your senses, your actions, and your surroundings in the moment.) 2. Stay in the here-and-now instead of dwelling on the past. (Ruminating about the past tends to evoke and perpetuate a depressed mood.) 3. Temper an aversive here-and-now by "putting yourself into" something positive remembered in your past or envisioned in your future. (Do so not to get rid of worry, but to put it into better perspective.)
- Ask yourself these questions when you're stuck in worry mode: "What's the evidence?" "Am I trying to control things that I can't possibly control?" "Am I trying to answer unanswerable questions?" "Am I overestimating the risk the way I usually do?" "Will this even matter to me next year, next month or even next week?" "On my death bed, will I regret not having worried more about this?"
- Notice the mistakes you tolerate or excuse in others and give yourself the same latitude. Do not rationalize your perfectionism as a virtue. Instead of perfection, give yourself permission to strive for consistent adequacy punctuated by occasional mistakes.
- Look for what is good in your life: "Just imagine how happy you'd be if you lost everything you have right now… and then got it all back ." (Bertrand Russell) And remember a second Bertrand Russell quote: " The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." So it's okay to have doubts and worries--just try not to take them so seriously.
- Try to see your worry as one small data point in the larger continuum of your life or as one small wave in the ocean of humanity: "That ain't but a zit on the face of time." (Unknown)
Further Reading: Worries, Rumination and Obsessions
Carbonell, D. The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It , 2016.
Leahy, R. The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You , 2006.
Craske, M & Barlow, D. Mastery of Your Anxiety and Worry: Workbook , 2006.
Wadstrom, O. Quit Ruminating and Brooding: It is easier to do with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) , 2015.
(c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).
She believed that by stealing all the laughter from the villagers, she could gain ultimate power over them. So, she rode her bike through the village, cackling and chanting incantations. As she passed by, the once joyous giggles turned into mournful cries, and the light in people's eyes dimmed. It seemed as though the witch's plan was working, and the village was falling into despair. But little did the witch know, the village had a secret weapon – the power of unity. The villagers, realizing the dire situation, joined hands and devised a plan of their own. They decided that laughter was their strongest defense against the witch's dark magic. They organized a festival, filled with music, games, and laughter. Every corner of the village was adorned with colorful decorations, and the sound of laughter filled the air. On the day of the festival, the witch rode her bike through the village, hoping to drain the remaining joy from its inhabitants. To her surprise, instead of fearful faces, she was met with smiles and laughter. The villagers had banished the darkness by embracing the power of joy. Enraged by their resistance, the witch furiously pedaled her bike, trying to extinguish the laughter that filled the air. But with each cackle she made, the villagers laughed harder, foiling her every attempt. In the end, the witch's power began to dwindle, and she was left defeated. From that day on, the malignant witch from the west riding her bike was nothing more than a distant memory. The village thrived with laughter and joy, always remembering the power of unity and the importance of laughter in conquering darkness..
Reviews for "The Curse on Two Wheels: The Gruesome Saga of the Malignant Witch"
1. Linda - 1 star
I really did not enjoy watching "Malignant witch from the west riding a bike". The concept of a witch riding a bike seemed interesting, but the execution was poor. The plot was incredibly confusing and difficult to follow, with random scenes that did not make sense and added nothing to the story. The characters were poorly developed, and I found it hard to care about any of them. Overall, I would not recommend this movie to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 stars
"Malignant witch from the west riding a bike" was a disappointment for me. The film had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself getting bored after the first 20 minutes. The dialogue was also weak and lacked depth, making it hard to be fully engaged with the story. Furthermore, the special effects were unimpressive and made the witch's bike riding scenes look cheesy rather than scary. I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not watch this movie again.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Malignant witch from the west riding a bike", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot seemed intriguing, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The film tried to be scary, but it was more comical than anything else. The acting was subpar, and the characters were difficult to relate to or empathize with. Overall, I found this movie to be a letdown and would not recommend it to others.
4. John - 1 star
"Malignant witch from the west riding a bike" was a complete waste of my time. The storyline was uninteresting and lacked originality. The acting was amateurish, and the characters were one-dimensional, making it hard to invest in their fates. The film also had a low-budget feel, with poor special effects that took away from the already weak storyline. Overall, I regret watching this movie and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality horror film.
5. Emily - 2 stars
I was disappointed by "Malignant witch from the west riding a bike". The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow, and the plot was all over the place. It felt like the movie couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a horror film or a comedy. The scares were predictable, and the performances were forgettable. Overall, this movie failed to leave a lasting impact, and I would not recommend it to others.