Hey Psych2Goers, and not-yet Psych2Goers, welcome back to another video.
Do you feel like you’re constantly worrying?
Do you feel like your worries sometimes prevent you from living your life to the fullest?
This is extremely common, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
But whilst worrying is a completely normal experience, excess worrying, especially about
trivial things, can be detrimental.
Please note, this video is for educational purposes and is not intended to shame individuals
who experience any of the worries listed.
Instead, it is meant to shed light and offer some guidance.
With that in mind, here are 10 things life is too short to worry about.
One, The Past
Have you ever found yourself thinking back to a particularly embarrassing moment?
Do you notice yourself reliving this memory over and over again?
This type of thinking is known as ‘rumination’, and according to Melbourne Psychotherapist,
Tim Hill, rumination is associated with anxiety and depression.
Replaying thoughts in your head takes time away from you to be happy in the present.
Mindfulness and positive self-talk are examples of some ways to ground yourself and focus
more on the present.
Two, The Future
Whilst it is normal to think about the future, overthinking the worst-case scenarios can
stop you from trying things you want to try.
For example, imagine you want to start your own business.
If you considered all the things that could possibly go wrong, this may prevent you from
turning your dream into a reality.
Known as “catastrophizing”, which refers to thinking of the worst outcomes to any situation.
This can affect your ability to function in the present moment.
Three, Haters
Do you notice yourself focusing your attention on those that dislike you or constantly worry
about haters?
When you focus all your energy on those who don’t like you, you tend to forget about
those who love, support, and uplift you.
No matter how good a person you are, there will always be someone who thinks you’re
not their cup of tea.
*Sigh* If celebrities, for example, solely focused on their haters rather than their
fans and passion for their work, they might not reach the levels of success they do.
The truth is, no one can be liked by everyone and that’s part of life.
It’s important to focus on what you believe in and those who believe in you.
Four, Aging
Are you daunted by thoughts of getting older?
Does it make you increasingly worried about the future?
Society can feel very competitive at times and aging can cause you to worry whether you
are “doing enough”.
However, it’s important to remember that life is not a race.
Instead, you can think of it as a marathon.
Pacing yourselves with the present and making the most of the moment right here and now.
Your future and older self will be grateful for it.
Five, People’s Opinions
Do you worry about people judging what you do?
Are you fearful of people thinking negatively of you?
Similar to worrying about haters, it is also very easy to get wound up in people’s opinions.
Whilst it is understandable to consider the opinions of those around you, getting too
caught up in them can stop you from living life the way you choose.
Seeking approval from someone in your life - whether it’s parents, friends, classmates,
colleagues, or sometimes even people you don’t personally know can often help guide you.
But the most important opinion is your own.
You’re the one that lives YOUR life, so do it for you, focusing on the things that
make you happy.
What People Are Doing
It’s normal to think about our friends and family when we’re not with them.
But if you spend most of your time worrying about what other people are doing, this can
take away from focusing on what you’re doing.
If you constantly worry about what your competitors are doing- say your colleagues going for that
promotion at work or fellow students trying to get the student body president role, you
risk falling behind.
Instead, it is your own actions and achieving your own goals that require your undivided
attention.
Your Image
Do you fear rumors conspiring against you?
Do you sometimes put on a mask to cover your true self?
There's nothing wrong with being concerned with the way you are perceived by others,
especially younger people.
Whilst it is an intrinsic want to be part of a community or tribe, being overly self-conscious
and covering how you really are can minimize your authentic self.
It is when you recognize, accept, and flaunt your true self - with all its flaws - you
may find you draw more people into your life who are right for you as they accept you for
who you are.
Eight, Money
Earning money can feel like a constant struggle and although it is important for safety and
needs, it shouldn’t be considered the be-all and end-all.
In fact, according to a study by Ayalla Ruvio, worrying about material wealth can cause excess
stress.
So, instead of solely focusing on money, it's prudent to strive for finding avenues of making
life more fulfilling along with money matters.
What are some things in your life that you’re currently trying to achieve?
Now is as good a time to start as any!
Nine, What’s Outside Your Control
Do you dread being out of control?
In reality, however, micromanaging every part of your life is draining and unsustainable.
Doing so merely keeps you occupied, averting your focus from what’s important.
Instead, it’s more worthwhile to give your energy to the things that are within your
control and letting go of the things that aren’t.
According to Amy Morin, creating a plan to manage your stress and practicing healthy
affirmations can help you minimize worries about things beyond your control.
Ten, Making Mistakes
Do you find yourself always reaching for a higher standard?
No matter how hard you try, perfection is a highly relative phenomenon.
When you restrict yourself out of fear of doing something wrong, you actually rule out
the activities and things you want to try, hindering self-growth.
Making mistakes in life is inevitable.
Yikes!
But the best part about them is they help you learn and grow.
So, rather than constantly worrying about mistakes - or the fear of making them - it's
more important to grab onto opportunities as they come and reflect on what you’ve
learned from previous mistakes.
So, there you have it, 10 things that life is too short to worry about.
Did any of these things resonate with the types of worries you have?
If so, which was the most impactful?
Let us know in the comments below.
Feel free to like this video, subscribe to Psych2Go if you haven’t already, and share
with others who might find this video helpful.
All the references used are also added in the description box below.
Thank you so much for watching and we’ll see you in our next video.
Thanks for watching!
Video by Psych2go.