--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you don’t worry about something until…" description: "\"“If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a problem,’ said Rosie, ‘that’s not worry. That’s observation.”\" — Laurie Frankel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg" --- # If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a… ![“If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a problem,’ said Rosie, ‘that’s not worry. That’s observation.” quote by Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg) > ““If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a problem,’ said Rosie, ‘that’s not worry. That’s observation.”” [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing a situation before it becomes a problem is practical vigilance, not anxiety. **In simple terms:** Watch before you worry. Key Takeaway Observe, then act. Themes awareness practicality anxiety management Mood reflective calm Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace conflicts - health monitoring Key Concepts mindfulness preventive observation Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate observation from worry? - When is it okay to let a problem develop? A Different Perspective Observation can miss hidden issues if not followed by action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Don Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-worry/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Rosie Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rosie-worry-2699604/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) [Worry Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-observation-2699605/) [Worry Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-problem-1971223/) ## Related quotes > [If a problem can be solved, why worry? If a problem cannot be solved, then worrying will do no good.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-allen/if-a-problem-can-be-solved-why-worry-if-a-problem-cannot-be-solved/) [Marc Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-allen/) > [If your problem has solution then… why to worry about it ? If your problem dosen't have solutioin then… why worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinese-proverb/if-your-problem-has-solution-then-why-to-worry-about-it-if-your/) [Chinese Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinese-proverb/) > [If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/if-the-problem-can-be-solved-why-worry-if-the-problem-cannot-be/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [I never worry about the problem. I worry about the solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-never-worry-about-the-problem-i-worry-about-the-solution/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [One must think until it hurts. One must worry a problem in one's mind until it seems there cannot be another aspect of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-herbert-reinhart/one-must-think-until-it-hurts-one-must-worry-a-problem-in-one-s-mind/) [Roy Herbert Reinhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-herbert-reinhart/) > [I worry that as the problem-solving power of our technologies increases, our ability to distinguish between important and trivial or even non-existent problems diminishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/i-worry-that-as-the-problem-solving-power-of-our-technologies/) [Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/) > [When a problem has a solution there's no need to worry, when a problem has no solution worrying is useless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-problem-has-a-solution-there-s-no-need-to-worry-when-a-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Almost everyone seems to worry about something, and yet, we rarely talk about worry as a problem. Maybe that is because worry is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-wilson-schaef/almost-everyone-seems-to-worry-about-something-and-yet-we-rarely-talk/) [Anne Wilson Schaef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-wilson-schaef/) > [Don't worry about the war. It's all over but the shooting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/don-t-worry-about-the-war-it-s-all-over-but-the-shooting/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-and-don-t-worry/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Already we'll all float on. Now don't you worry, we'll all float on. Alright, don't worry even if things end up a bit too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-mouse/already-we-ll-all-float-on-now-don-t-you-worry-we-ll-all-float-on/) [Modest Mouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-mouse/) > [Oh, don't worry! I'm always okay!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/onew/oh-don-t-worry-i-m-always-okay/) [Onew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/onew/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Pray, hope, don't worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-don-t-worry/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) ## More by Laurie Frankel > [“You have to make these huge decisions on behalf of your kid, this tiny human whose fate and future is entirely in your hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/you-have-to-make-these-huge-decisions-on-behalf-of-your-kid-this-tiny/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“But by the time those acquaintances became close friends, it was too late. Perhaps there was a perfect moment in between, when you were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/but-by-the-time-those-acquaintances-became-close-friends-it-was-too/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Parenthood is like that...the harder the choice, the less likely any of the options are good ones”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/parenthood-is-like-that-the-harder-the-choice-the-less-likely-any-of/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“...ultimately, eventually, we let go. We do this not because we're ready. We do this not because we've mended. We do this not because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/ultimately-eventually-we-let-go-we-do-this-not-because-we-re-ready-we/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“How did you teach your small human that it’s what’s inside that counts when the truth was everyone was pretty preoccupied with what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/how-did-you-teach-your-small-human-that-it-s-what-s-inside-that/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“The real trick is you have to forge your way straight ahead through the trees where there is no path.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/the-real-trick-is-you-have-to-forge-your-way-straight-ahead-through/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Poems are surmountable. They have rhymes and rhythms to help you make meaning. They're short enough. . . to read and reread until you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/poems-are-surmountable-they-have-rhymes-and-rhythms-to-help-you-make/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Rosie was also used to conflicting emotions, for she was a mother and knew every moment of every day that no one out in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/rosie-was-also-used-to-conflicting-emotions-for-she-was-a-mother-and/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Writing a novel is like making soup. The base is a broth we make up wholesale—for instance, I have one child, not five, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/writing-a-novel-is-like-making-soup-the-base-is-a-broth-we-make-up/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Easy is nice, but it’s not as good as getting to be who you are or stand up for what you believe in,” said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/easy-is-nice-but-it-s-not-as-good-as-getting-to-be-who-you-are-or/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Turns out fixing people up is not how we make money. It's failing to fix people up while still giving them hope that soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/turns-out-fixing-people-up-is-not-how-we-make-money-it-s-failing-to/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“. . . there was nothing yet to fear, and so he passed it off as joy, as heart-pounding, pulse-quaking joy. Not as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/there-was-nothing-yet-to-fear-and-so-he-passed-it-off-as-joy-as-heart/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“What was clear, however, was that the Buddha was born male, then cut off all his hair one day and got enlightened, then ended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/what-was-clear-however-was-that-the-buddha-was-born-male-then-cut-off/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“Lot of clinics in Bangkok do surgery but mostly for foreigner. Many kathoey here let be. Which parts not what matter. Is soul, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/lot-of-clinics-in-bangkok-do-surgery-but-mostly-for-foreigner-many/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) > [“For my child, for all our children, I want more options, more paths through the woods, wider ranges of normal, and unconditional love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/for-my-child-for-all-our-children-i-want-more-options-more-paths/) [Laurie Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) [Explore all 52 Laurie Frankel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a problem,’ said Rosie, ‘that’s not worry. That’s observation.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurie Frankel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until-it-s-already-a-problem-said/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until-it-s-already-a-problem-said/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/laurie-frankel-12675_fear_if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until_1886735.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you don’t worry about something until it’s already a problem,’ said Rosie, ‘that’s not worry. That’s…” — Laurie Frankel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laurie Frankel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-frankel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you don’t worry about something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until-it-s-already-a-problem-said/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-frankel/if-you-don-t-worry-about-something-until-it-s-already-a-problem-said/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```