Lachlan Brown
There’s a quiet liberation in realizing that most of the things we worry about don’t actually last.
I’ve come to learn—through mindfulness, through life, through many late-night mental spirals—that much of what we obsess over fades with time, even when it feels all-consuming in the moment.
This doesn’t mean our worries are silly. It just means we can learn to hold them more lightly.
If you’re like me, maybe you’ve caught yourself worrying about things that seemed so urgent, only to laugh about them later.
That’s the tricky thing about impermanence—everything changes, including the weight of what’s bothering you right now.
So, here’s a list of twenty things you can stop worrying about—because in the long run, they won’t matter as much as you think they will.
With each point, I’ve added a few questions to help you reflect for yourself.
You might be surprised by which ones still have a hold on you, and which ones you’re ready to let go of.
1. What others think of your life choices
Are they living your life? Are they carrying the consequences of your decisions?
The truth is, most people are too busy thinking about themselves to remember your choices for long.
2. The perfect career path
Careers twist, evolve, stall, restart. I’ve taken detours I never expected—and most of them led somewhere richer than I planned.
What would happen if you let go of needing the “perfect” path?
3. Saying the wrong thing in a conversation
You know that thing you said last week that kept you up at night? The other person probably forgot it the next morning.
Can you extend the same grace to yourself?
4. Not being “productive enough” every day
What even counts as productive? Hustle culture teaches us that rest is wasted time.
Buddhism teaches us that presence is not idleness.
What does being “enough” feel like to you?
5. Physical appearance changing over time
Wrinkles, gray hair, weight fluctuations—they’re signs that you’ve lived, loved, struggled, survived.
Why fear a body that is simply honoring time?
6. Being behind your peers
Behind what, exactly? A made-up timeline? Everyone blooms differently.
The longer I live, the more I realize milestones are just stories we tell ourselves.
What story are you ready to stop believing?
7. Outgrowing friendships
It hurts. But it’s natural.
Seasons change, and so do relationships.
Which ones are you clinging to out of guilt, and which are still nourishing you?
8. Not having it “all figured out”
No one does. Seriously.
Even the people who seem confident are winging it half the time.
What if you stopped trying to figure it all out—and focused on living instead?
9. Other people’s expectations
Parents, partners, society—they all want different versions of you.
But which version feels true?
Can you feel the difference between living up to expectations and living into your values?
10. Mistakes from your past
We all have regrets.
But have you noticed how the people who inspire you most often made the worst mistakes—and grew from them?
What could your past be trying to teach you instead of punish you?
11. Unfinished goals
There’s a myth that you must finish what you start.
But sometimes, stopping is the wiser choice.
What are you dragging behind you out of obligation, not passion?
12. Not always being in control
Control is comforting but often an illusion.
Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it means trusting the river a little more.
What would it feel like to stop gripping so tightly?
13. Being liked by everyone
You’re not for everyone. And you’re not supposed to be.
What would change in your life if you prioritized self-respect over universal approval?
14. Your social media image
Likes, filters, curated captions, it’s a game we all play.
But will any of it matter in ten years? In one year? In one month?
15. Being too sensitive or emotional
Sensitivity isn’t weakness—it’s perception turned inward.
What if your depth is actually a strength, not a flaw?
16. How fast you’re healing or growing
Growth isn’t linear. Some seasons are slow and silent. Others bloom overnight.
Can you allow yourself the grace to evolve at your own rhythm?
17. Minor conflicts or misunderstandings
Sometimes we stew over a single text for hours. But most conflicts dissolve quicker than we expect, especially when we lead with humility.
Is your pride more important than your peace?
18. Being “good enough”
This one runs deep. But ask yourself—who decides what “good enough” means?
And have you ever actually met their criteria?
Or is it a moving target you were never meant to chase?
19. Not having a five-year plan
I used to think having a five-year plan meant I was responsible.
Now, I think it means I’m trying to control what I can’t predict.
What if you focused on the next right step instead?
20. The opinions of people who don’t truly know you
This one surprised me.
So much of my anxiety came from worrying about people who didn’t even see the full me.
Whose voice are you giving power to—and why?
A mindful reflection on impermanence
One of the core teachings of Buddhism is Anicca—impermanence.
Everything changes. Every thought. Every emotion. Every circumstance.
The things that feel unbearable now will soften. The weights on your shoulders will shift, lift, or fall away.
When I catch myself spiraling over something fleeting, I ask: “Will this matter when I’m 80?”
More often than not, the answer is no.
And even if it does matter, it’ll likely matter in a very different way.
Try sitting with this thought next time worry grips you: “This, too, will pass. And so will the version of me worrying about it.”
Final thoughts
You don’t have to let go of all your worries overnight.
But if even one of these things loses its grip on you, that’s a kind of freedom.
We carry so much we don’t need.
We try to predict and control a future that hasn’t happened, while forgetting that peace often comes not from fixing—but from loosening our grip.
So breathe. Ask better questions. Let some of it go.
You’ve got more space than you think.
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