8 things to stop worrying about (because they won’t matter in a year)

There’s a significant difference between worrying about things that matter and those that don’t.

The difference boils down to perspective. Worrying about certain things can weigh you down, especially when they have no real impact on your life in the long run.

Letting go of these worries, on the other hand, frees you up to focus on what truly matters. It gives you the space to breathe, to live, and to enjoy the moment.

As the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthuasist, I’ve learned that there are certain worries we can safely let go. And believe me, in a year’s time, they won’t matter at all.

Here are 8 things to stop worrying about (because they won’t matter in a year).

1) Overthinking every decision

As a mindfulness expert, I can’t stress enough how much energy is wasted on overthinking.

We all find ourselves in situations where we’re faced with multiple choices. And it can be incredibly draining to constantly weigh all the options.

Welcome to the concept of decision fatigue.

Decision fatigue is a real psychological phenomenon. It’s the mental exhaustion you feel after a long day of making choices, big or small.

Think about it. It’s the reason why we tend to make poorer decisions as the day progresses, or why shopping for groceries feels so overwhelming after a hard day’s work.

When we’re confronted with multiple choices, we often add unnecessary stress by over-analyzing every potential outcome.

But here’s the thing: In a year’s time, most of these decisions won’t matter.

Instead of getting caught up in every decision, try practicing mindfulness. Stay present, weigh your options reasonably but don’t let them consume you.

2) Dwelling on past mistakes

We all make errors. It’s a part of being human. But dwelling on these past mistakes is not only unhelpful but can also be harmful to our mental health.

As a mindfulness practitioner, I’ve learned the importance of living in the present moment and not letting the past dictate my present or future.

Consider this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk: “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”

Past mistakes are just that – in the past. They serve as lessons, not life sentences. Dwelling on them robs you of the joy of living in the present.

It’s crucial to understand that in a year’s time, these mistakes won’t matter. What matters is how you grow from them and move forward.

3) Fear of the unknown

Fear of the unknown can be a crippling anxiety. We often worry about what lies ahead because we can’t control it. But let me tell you, this fear can be more damaging than any potential future event.

In Buddhism, there’s a concept called “The Three Marks of Existence”. One of these marks is Anicca, which translates to “impermanence”. It signifies that everything in life is transient and ever-changing.

It’s a raw and honest truth. Nothing stays the same forever.

This wisdom teaches us to accept the uncertainty that comes with life, rather than fearing it. Change is inevitable, and worrying about it won’t stop it from happening.

In a year’s time, whatever you’re fearing now will likely have changed, and so will you. Instead of dreading the unknown, embrace it. It’s a part of the beautiful journey we call life.

4) Constant comparison with others

In this era of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly comparing ourselves with others. We see their highlights and compare them with our behind-the-scenes, which often leads to feelings of inadequacy and discontent.

But here’s the raw truth: This comparison game is a losing battle. There will always be someone who seems to have more or do better.

Mindfulness teaches us to focus on our own journey and appreciate our unique experiences, instead of being consumed by what others are doing.

Remember, everyone has their own path. Comparing your journey to someone else’s will only distract you from your own progress and personal growth.

In a year’s time, it won’t matter who had what or did what. What will matter is how you lived your life, how you grew as a person, and how you contributed positively to the world around you. 

5) Holding onto a massive ego

It’s no secret that our ego can sometimes get the best of us. We often worry about protecting our image, asserting our intelligence, or proving our worth to others. But this obsession with ego can become a major roadblock in our path to personal growth and happiness.

As I discuss in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, Buddhism teaches us the importance of letting go of our ego. It emphasizes the need to focus more on our actions and less on our self-image.

In a year’s time, whether you managed to defend your ego in a petty argument or showed off your knowledge in a social setting won’t matter. What will matter is how you treated others, how you contributed to society, and how much you grew as an individual.

Let’s stop worrying about preserving our ego and start focusing on leading a life full of kindness, empathy, and personal growth. Trust me, it’s a much more fulfilling journey.

6) Obsession with material possessions

In the pursuit of happiness, we often find ourselves obsessing over material possessions. We worry about owning the latest gadgets, the fanciest cars, or the most luxurious homes. But here’s a raw, honest truth: Material possessions don’t bring lasting happiness.

Both Buddhism and mindfulness teach us to find joy in the simple things in life. They emphasize the importance of experiences, relationships, and inner peace over material wealth.

In the grand scheme of things, whether or not you owned the latest iPhone or drove the most expensive car won’t matter in a year’s time.

What will matter is the memories you created, the relationships you nurtured, and the peace you found within yourself.

7) Living up to others’ expectations

In our quest to fit in and be accepted, we often worry about living up to the expectations of others. We change our behavior, suppress our desires, and sometimes even abandon our dreams just to meet these expectations.

But let’s face it: This is not only exhausting, but also dishonest to our true selves.

The famous Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön once said, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” This beautifully sums up the idea that we should not let external factors dictate who we are or what we do.

In a year’s time, whether you lived up to someone else’s expectations won’t matter. What will matter is whether you stayed true to yourself and pursued what genuinely makes you happy.

8) Constant need for busyness

In today’s fast-paced world, we often equate being busy with being productive or successful. We fill our schedules to the brim and worry if we have a moment of idleness. This constant need for busyness, however, can lead to burnout and stress.

Here’s a counterintuitive truth: Embracing stillness can be more beneficial than constant busyness.

Mindfulness encourages us to slow down, to pause, and to breathe. It teaches us the value of silence and stillness. This doesn’t mean abandoning our responsibilities, but rather learning to take breaks and appreciate moments of calm in our chaotic lives.

In a year’s time, whether you were constantly busy won’t matter. What will matter is how you managed your mental health and whether you took time to simply be in the present moment.

Conclusion

It’s clear that worry often stems from misplaced priorities and misconceptions about what truly matters in life. By focusing on the present, embracing stillness, and letting go of ego, we can free ourselves from needless worry and experience a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

For more insights on how to live with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It delves deeper into the principles of Buddhism and provides practical tips to lead a mindful, impactful life.

Remember, it’s not about eliminating all worry—it’s about discerning which worries are worth your time and energy. A year from now, most of what we worry about today won’t matter. So let’s focus on what genuinely enriches our lives.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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