For years, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of worries, each wave pulling me further under. You’ve probably been there too—stressing over money, your career, your health, your relationships, or just the uncertainty of what’s ahead.
It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Like you’re sprinting on a treadmill, pouring your energy into everything and getting absolutely nowhere.
I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit, and for a long time, this was my reality. My mind was a relentless loop of “what ifs” and “what nows,” and it was draining me.
But one day, I hit a breaking point. I realized most of my worries weren’t just exhausting—they were pointless. They were things I couldn’t control, and I was letting them run my life.
That realization, and the psychological insights I discovered along the way, changed everything. In this article, I want to share those insights with you.
We’re going to unpack 7 common worries and explore why they’re not worth your energy. My hope is that this will help you find some clarity, just like it did for me.
1. Worrying about the future
This was a big one for me.
I used to spend countless hours agonizing over what the future might hold.
Will I be successful? Will I find love? What if something terrible happens?
It was like I had this crystal ball in my mind, but instead of showing me anything positive, it only predicted doom and gloom.
Then I dove into psychology and learned a game-changing fact: humans are notoriously bad at predicting the future. Most of our fears never come to pass, and even when they do, we’re usually much better equipped to handle them than we thought we’d be.
More importantly, worrying about the future takes us out of the present moment – the only moment we truly have control over.
The future isn’t written yet. Instead of worrying about it, channel your energy into shaping it by taking positive action in the here and now.
2. Dwelling on past mistakes
If there’s one thing I was an expert at, it was replaying past mistakes in my mind over and over again.
Whether it was a misstep in my career or a blunder in my personal life, I used to let these memories haunt me.
I would think to myself, “If only I had done things differently…”
Then I came across a quote from famous psychologist Carl Jung that shifted my perspective: “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
This hit me hard. I realized that dwelling on past mistakes wasn’t helping me grow. It was actually holding me back.
According to psychology, obsessing over the past can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. It prevents us from moving forward and making positive changes in our lives.
So, if you find yourself stuck in the past, remember Jung’s words. You are not your mistakes. You have the power to choose who you want to be.
Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, try to see each mistake as a lesson. What can you learn from it? How can you use that lesson to make better decisions in the future?
This shift in perspective can free you from the chains of the past and open up a world of possibilities for personal growth and transformation.
3. Feeling inadequate compared to others
This was another worry that used to consume me.
I’d look at my friends, colleagues, even strangers on social media, and feel like I just didn’t measure up.
They seemed to have it all – a successful career, a loving family, a vibrant social life. And then there was me, struggling to keep up and feeling like I was always falling short.
But as I delved deeper into psychology, I realized that this comparison game was a losing battle. It’s like Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
The truth is, we rarely see the full picture of someone else’s life. We see their highlights, not their struggles or insecurities. And when we compare ourselves to this skewed perception, we set ourselves up for feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness.
So if you find yourself constantly comparing your life to others’, remember this: everyone is on their own unique journey. Success isn’t a race, and there’s no one “right” way to live your life.
Instead of worrying about how you stack up against others, focus on your own growth and progress. Celebrate your small victories and learn from your setbacks.
In the end, it’s not about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.
4. Worrying about other people’s opinions
I used to be a people-pleaser.
I’d constantly worry about what others thought of me, and often found myself bending over backwards to meet their expectations.
But then I learned something that changed my perspective entirely.
A study published in the journal Science shows that we greatly overestimate how much others think about us. This is known as the “spotlight effect.”
In reality, most people are far too busy with their own lives and worries to spend much time thinking about us.
Once I realized this, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I stopped trying to please everyone and started living my life according to my own values and desires.
So if you’re constantly worrying about other people’s opinions, remember: chances are, they’re not thinking about you as much as you think they are.
Live your life for you, not for the approval of others. In the end, your opinion of yourself is the only one that truly matters.
5. Worrying about money
Like many people, I used to constantly stress over my financial situation.
I worried about paying my bills, saving for the future, and whether or not I’d ever be able to afford the lifestyle I wanted.
And while it’s important to be financially responsible, I learned that constant worry about money can actually hinder our happiness and wellbeing.
According to psychology, excessive worry about finances can lead to stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems.
What helped me was learning to differentiate between what I can and can’t control. Instead of worrying about the state of the economy or potential job loss, I focused on creating a realistic budget, saving where I could, and investing in my skills to increase my earning potential.
6. Worrying about health
I was always the kind of person who would panic at the first sign of a sniffle or headache. I’d immediately jump to the worst-case scenario, convinced that something was seriously wrong with my health.
This constant worry about my health was not only exhausting, but it also created a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety in my life.
Then I stumbled upon a quote from renowned psychologist Albert Ellis: “The art of love is largely the art of persistence.”
This got me thinking. Instead of constantly worrying about my health, what if I focused on loving and taking care of my body instead?
I started eating healthier, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. I also made sure to get regular check-ups and follow my doctor’s advice.
And guess what? My health improved, and so did my peace of mind.
7. Worrying about not worrying
Now, this may sound counterintuitive, but bear with me.
I used to worry about the fact that I was worrying too much. I’d chastise myself for all the time and energy I was wasting, which only added to my stress and anxiety.
But then I learned something crucial: worry, in moderation, can actually be beneficial.
According to psychology, a certain amount of worry can prompt us to take action and solve problems. It’s when worry becomes excessive and uncontrollable that it becomes a problem.
So if you find yourself worrying about worrying, cut yourself some slack.
Remember, it’s normal to worry from time to time. Instead of beating yourself up about it, try to channel your worry into positive action.
Ask yourself: “Is there something I can do about this right now?” If the answer is yes, go ahead and do it. If the answer is no, try to let the worry go.
It’s not easy, but with practice, you can turn your worry into a tool for proactive problem-solving instead of a source of stress.
Conclusion
We all worry from time to time. It’s a normal part of being human. But when worry starts to consume your life, remember this: you have more control than you think.
Don’t let your worries steal your joy or your energy. Instead, try to see them as opportunities for growth and change.
Remember to focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t.
And above all, be kind to yourself. Worrying doesn’t make you weak or flawed—it makes you human.
Take it one day at a time. You’ve got this.
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