Through all my years of writing, I have become very self-aware. My process as a writer is something like this:

I start off by focusing on my raw emotions, figuring out why I feel the way I do. I then think about my friends, movies, other situations—whether politics, business, etc.—and then I write. A classic example is my concept on overcoming obstacles. I first looked at the fact that although I have made strives, and made my dreams come true, the fact is that no matter what, the issues I face never really went away, nor will they. Then I looked at other people and saw a trend.

The problem with this is I’ve become hyper self-aware. I know myself too well. I have an overwhelming understanding of my emotions. The chasm between what I have and what I don’t have is getting wider and wider, and I don’t like it. When I was a teenager, I understood that I could not drive, but it was okay because I was hanging out with my friends.

I try so hard to have a good time but is too much self-awareness a good thing?

Sometimes I think being naïve is the best thing in the whole world. I am grateful for everything I have but one of my next goals is to let go. Be self-aware, but let go.

Two weeks ago was my wedding day. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life. After the ceremony, we enjoyed a very relaxed reception. In fact, Leslie and I didn’t even sit at the bride and groom table. It was just one big party. There was no schedule, we just let things happen and it was beautiful. I need that more in my life.

I am tired of constantly nitpicking about my life. My friends, my family, and especially Leslie don’t care about the extra effort.

I love my body of work. I love being this self-aware, but it needs to be tempered. It doesn’t need to follow me everywhere I go. Over the last couple of years, I let it follow me wherever I go. I let it follow me to restaurants, on vacations, on the plane, and I don’t know how to stop it.

I have an awesome life and it’s only getting better. So, why do I let it get to me every day?

One problem is I am surrounded by people who can do things I can only dream of. I’m not talking about climbing Mount Everest, I’m talking about getting a drink of water and picking up a baby. I observe these activities every single day.

I was watching an interview with Aaron Rodgers, the MVP quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, and he is really sensitive about his size, even though he’s 6’2”. He got upset at a fan for saying, “I thought you were bigger.” I watch people get their panties in a twist over the fact that they don’t have enough hair or their shirt is a bit wrinkly.

Yes, I have a right to get upset, but at the end of the day, do I want to be happy or do I want to let go?