Would you rather… Be an anxious genius or a carefree simpleton?
{Me? I’m an inherent worrier (as my mostly lackadaisical husband will attest to), so I’ll go with ANXIOUS GENIUS. I’m already halfway there, after all. ;)}
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katyupperman.com 
I am an ANXIOUS GENIUS (I like that you added genius after anxious, makes the entire thing more positive :D) while I do enjoy the carefree moments when they come…(by the way, my hubby doesn’t worry much at all) š
Glad I’m not alone, Elodie! I have to constantly remind myself to chill out and enjoy those precious carefree moments!
I’m already what I would classify as intense in some situations (embarrassingly, most often when it comes to romantic relationships and to a slightly lesser extent friendships), so, like you, I’d take some genius to go with my present anxiety. Or, y’know, more people who wouldn’t be intimidated by me saying ‘hey, I wrote a poem about you!’ which would invalidate the anxiety of appearing clingy or whatever.
I think intense is awesome. The challenge is finding people who appreciate and reciprocate your intensity (or at least balance it!).
Well, listen. Tonight is the first day in a week that I’ve actually gotten a good night’s sleep, free of stress dreams…so I’m actually sort of inclined toward carefree simpleton just at this moment. Could I Jekyll and Hyde them? I don’t mind being anxious during the day (especially if genius came with it!) but at night I would love to transform into a carefree simpleton capable of sleeping for eight hours.
Ha! I think I’d like to be the same way. Anytime I have something on my mind, my sleep suffers. I think that’s why I’m incapable of sleeping in. A 7am wake-up is late for me!
Seeing as I’m already an anxious genius (yeah, right. :-)) I kind of like the carefree simpleton because I wouldn’t know there was anything more or better. I wouldn’t spend half my life chasing after or running away from something that may or may not be in my best interest. All that would matter would be my friends, my family. I’d live in the moment and not worry about the what ifs.
To a fellow worrier, that sounds lovely! Ignorance is bliss, they say. š
When I read this, the first thing that came to mind is:
“Ignorance is bliss”
So, there is something appealing about being a carefree simpleton, who moves through life completely unaware of complexities, insecurities, worries, fears of never being good enough or of never reaching my full potential …
But, the egotistical part of me is like … yeah, I want to be a genius.
Yes, the carefree lifestyle is appealing, and I envy those who are able to push their troubles away, but yeah… that’s so not me. And if genius were to come along with anxiety… why not? š
I’m anxious all over the place! Genius? Well… they say it’s very close to madness. ^_^
Ha! š I’m with you on the anxiety aspect, Ann. If I’m not worrying about something, I feel off-kilter!
Anxious genius. I’ve already learned to live with it š
Yeah… I’m living with the anxious part too. I always tell my husband: If I’m not worrying about the problem, it won’t get solved!
I want to be carefree….I’ve got enough smart friends that’ll be smart for me. š What a fun post!
Ooh, I love that attitude, Lynn. Perhaps I should try to adopt it? š
Anxious genius. I’m already one.
Great question!
Thanks! You and me both, SWF. š
I’m already anxious, so of I could tack on the genius part that would suit me fine š
Ha! That’s my thinking too, Crystal. š
Already an anxious genius so, no contest there š
Also Katy – do you know if there is a way to sign up for the MAYbe blogfest still? I can’t do it this week but I can starting next and would love to do it/meet more blog friends…Do you know if its still possible to sign up?
You absolutely can still sign up, Rachel. We’re very casual about the whole thing, so starting late and posting sporadically are just fine. BMM is all about fun and creative blogging in May! You can sign up at Sara McClung‘s blog on the original BMM post. Can’t wait to read your posts!
I would LIKE to be a carefree simpleton and think I have the simple part down. š I already have too much stress and anxiety in my life so I think I want the simple, easy life. And I almost never want to take the easy way out! Does that say something about the state of affairs in my life? š
Kari, your life stresses ME out! I totally get wanting to take the easy way out from time to time. (Matt says: In order to relax, reminisce back to those days of beer shot-gunning. š He’s so helpful!) Hopefully you’ll have lots of time for fun in the sun this summer!
Anxious genius.
Ha, me too! Maybe not so much the genius part (hopefully, though!), but I’m definitely anxious!
Anxious genius, for sure š Though sometimes I worry I’m the other, ha.
If you’re worrying that your a carefree simpleton, I think you’re definitely an anxious genius. š
Carefree simpleton is very tempting (I feel like you’d enjoy things a lot more), but there’s something very appealing about being a genius. I think I could deal with some anxiety for that. š Besides, I feel like I’d be a better person if I, you know, cared about stuff – even if it makes me anxious!
I think you’re right about needing to care about stuff… Maybe not to the point that it makes us anxious, but to have not a care in the world doesn’t seem like a very fulfilling way to live.
I’m a world-class worrier, anxious all the time, so I’d have to say anxious genius. However, there’s something to be said for being a carefree simpleton–it would be great to never have a care in the world. š
It would be great, but I have to wonder if you’d have a great appreciation for the carefree nature of your life, if you know what I mean. See, I’m worrying about whether the carefree know what they’re missing. š
Gosh I don’t know. I’m already an anxious person and working on fixng that about myself since it sucks. But I don’t want to be a simpleton either! I guess I’d like to find a happy medium. š
Ha… The happy medium is the Holy Grail, I think. š
Anxious genius. For sure. I’m almost positive that carefree simpletons are happier, but my anxiety (and genius) is what keeps me going and let’s me know I’m doing something right. If that makes any sense at all. š
Makes total sense, Tameka, and I feel pretty much the same way. I want to know that I’m striving for my best, if if it’s stressful!
I’m already anxious like crazy (I’m in therapy for my anxiety :-\) so I’d love to throw a little genius on the end there. Anxious mediocrity isn’t cutting it right now.
Dude, I think we should make Anxious Mediocrity a thing and totally embrace it.