In the quote by Robin from "The Outlaws of Sherwood" by Robin McKinley, the speaker reflects on their exceptional ability to worry. They perceive this skill not merely as a trait, but as a burden because it feels wasteful if they cannot employ it. This suggests that worrying, despite its negative connotation, is seen as an art form that requires mastery, and the speaker longs for an opportunity to put it to use.

The idea presents a complex relationship with anxiety, highlighting how it can consume a person while also serving as a coping mechanism. By framing worry as an art, it elevates the act of worrying to something that could potentially generate insight or vigilance, yet simultaneously implies that its overuse can lead to personal distress. Overall, it illustrates the struggle between the necessity of worry in certain situations and the burden it imposes when it becomes overwhelming.