Letting Go of Worry and Living Freely

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When I finally decided it was time to “get my life together” (cue dramatic music), I sat down and asked myself a serious question: what’s holding me back from becoming my best self? After a few minutes of deep thought, I realized one of my biggest struggles: WORRY. I worried about everything—seriously, everything. The future. What people would think of me. Past mistakes. Financial woes, health concerns, my loved ones’ health concerns… I mean, I was basically the CEO of Worry, Inc. I used to just sit and marinate in worry like a pot roast. 

But then, I had enough. I decided I was done worrying about every little thing and went on a quest for answers. I wanted to know if there were any magic tricks or habits to help me stop worrying so much and start actually enjoying life. During my search, I stumbled upon a book called “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” by Dale Carnegie. I cannot recommend this book enough. It has been an invaluable resource in my own journey towards peace and there isn’t a day that goes by without me mentally chanting some of its lessons like a mantra. It is a must read for those read to embrace a carefree mindset!

Now, I won’t lie; the book is incredible, but it’s not exactly the kind of book you bring to a beach party. So, Im going to help you out by sharing what I learned to keep myself from spiraling into that worry vortex.

The Lowdown on Worry

Take It Day by Day  

   Look, humans aren’t designed to handle everything at once. We aren’t octopuses, people! We need to tackle life one step at a time. Think of yourself as an hourglass—no, not the body type, stay with me here. Imagine grains of sand falling one at a time. That’s how we should handle our problems, one grain (problem) at a time. Try taking on too many at once, and, just like an hourglass, you’ll crack under the pressure. So, focus on one thing at a time. Today’s happy moments will become tomorrow’s fond memories. Live in the now and make each day one you’ll want to remember!

Avoid Worrisome Situations by Taking Action  

   Here’s the deal: stop worrying about what’s out of your control and start doing something about what you can control. For instance, I used to get stressed about presentations because I procrastinated until the last minute. (Shout out to all the last-minute warriors… or maybe not!) If you’re like me and can’t just wing it (if you can, well, good for you!), don’t put off the prep work. Prepare early, and you’ll avoid that last-minute anxiety. And if you’re one of those people who over-prepares but still panics, stick around—I’ve got more tips for you!

Worrying Less Could Save Your Life

   Yep, you read that right. The more you worry, the sooner you die. (Sorry to be dramatic, but it’s true!) Worrying affects your physical well-being, so it’s important to chill out and relax. Whether it’s listening to calming music, taking a walk, or hanging out with loved ones, find what soothes your soul and make it a priority. For me, it’s my faith. Trusting in God helps me realize there’s no situation I can’t handle. I keep Psalm 27:3 in mind: “Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.” Remember, there’s nothing to fear—seriously.

 Breaking the Habit of Worry

Worrying is a habit—just like biting your nails or binge-watching shows at 3 a.m. (No judgment here.) The good news? Habits can be broken! Realizing this was like a lightbulb moment for me. I just needed to start changing these patterns, and I wasn’t defined by them. So, let’s break this nasty worry habit with four tips!

1. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

   Life is way too short to let little things get you down. When you start to worry, ask yourself if this is really worth getting worked up over. Spoiler alert: it probably isn’t.  This goes for you, too, public speakers out there who get anxious before every talk. I get it public speaking is so nerve racking, but remember, most people in the audience are too busy worrying about their own stuff to notice if you stumble over a word or two. Take a deep breath, remember you’re human, and go for it! The world won’t end if you fumble a bit. Promise.

2. What Are the Odds?

   This one’s my favorite. Before stepping onto a plane, I’d be like, “What if it crashes?” But let’s be real: I’ve flown countless times, my friends and family have flown countless times, and none of us have ever crashed. So, when you start to worry about absurd things, ask yourself, “What are the chances of that actually happening?” Spoiler alert: the odds are usually pretty low.

3. Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk

   We hear this all the time, but it really hits home when you start applying it. There’s no point in crying over the inevitable. You can whine, blame others, or be in denial, but the milk has been spilled—move on already! I used to get so mad at my mom when she told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. I wasn’t diagnosed with depression or anything, but I did feel down for a long time. My mom was right; I was wasting time moping about things that had already happened, which only made me worry more about the future. Change your perspective, and you’ll change your life!

4. Let Go, Let God

   In Matthew 6:25-27, Jesus tells us not to worry about food or clothes because if the birds are fed, won’t He feed us too? God’s got your back. He’s provided everything you need for this life, so when you feel like stressing, just give it all to God. When things are out of your control PRAY,PRAY, PRAY! When you’re worried about that 0.000001% chance of a plane crash, pray. Pray for peace, pray for courage, and pray to let go of what you can’t control.

I didn’t transform overnight after reading this book, but I did start changing my habits. My first instinct might still be to worry or panic, but now I’ve got some tools to deal with it. Remember, just knowing what to do isn’t enough—you’ve got to apply what you’ve learned every day. And with that, let’s worry less and live more!

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