Are you worried about something right now? I know I am. A few small things. One large thing that I’m trying to get a handle on. Let’s look at the power of this destructive emotion and how you can break a cycle of worry.
You’re human. Worrying is normal.
Let’s get this out of the way from the start. No one is perfect. Everyone worries. It’s what you do with that worry–and if you let it consume you–that I want to talk about today.
There’s so much going on in the world right now.
It’s not just me. It’s not just you.
It’s a lot…and it’s moving fast.
More and more, I’m hearing from people about how they just feel so overwhelmed. They’re despondent about their lives or how things are going in the broader world.
They’re worried about so many things, on so many levels.
Worrying is like praying for something you don’t want
When you worry, you’re placing a very concentrated stream of your energy in a certain direction.
The more you worry, the more energy you’re pouring into this area of focus.
We’ve all heard about the power of positivity. Some call it the law of attraction. I’m oversimplifying, but it basically means that you get more of what you focus on.
Read more about the power of attention and how your focus helps create your reality.
So, track with me.
If what you’re focused on with your worry is actually something that you actively don’t want, you’re just reinforcing that idea and helping to draw it into reality.
For example, “I’m worried I won’t get the job. I don’t think I will get it. What if I don’t get it?”
What you’re doing with this is sending all that great creative energy that you have into an outcome that you 100% don’t want: Not getting the job.
And the more you worry, the more emotionally charged energy you’re pouring into your worry, and the stronger the possibility of that negative outcome becomes.
Make sense?
How to break a cycle of worry
Here’s what I do when I find myself worrying. Give it a try, see how it works for you.
- Notice it and acknowledge it.
Take a moment and stop to observe yourself.
Acknowledge that you’re worrying.
And don’t beat yourself up over it. It is what it is, and you’re going to move past it. - Look at your worry from the 3rd person.
Next, pretend you are outside yourself, observing yourself worrying.
What is the nature of the worry? (“I’m scared I’ll lose my job.”) Where is it coming from? (“I’m afraid I’ll lose my house if I do.”)
Now you have a little insight into what’s motivating you to worry. - What is one thing that would make the worry go away?
Now that you understand what’s going on, imagine what needs to happen in order for your worry to vanish.
Whatever this thing is that will make you stop worrying, turn it into a simple, easy-to-remember statement that you’re going to use like an affirmation.
(“I’m commended at my job and given a promotion.” “I envision myself always being able to pay my mortgage on time and without any hardship.”) - Every time you worry, replace it with your positive affirmation
This is the part that’s much easier said than done. But if you can get yourself into a groove with it, it really can help you short circuit a negative emotional response and break your cycle of worry.
Whenever you find yourself worrying, stop yourself and replace that worrying thought with the affirmation you created in #3 above.
Rinse and repeat. Do this as often as you need to. It will be hard at first, and will begin to get easier as you condition yourself into a new thought pattern.
What helps you to break a cycle of worry?
ME? Everything I mentioned above. Also, meditation, exercise, coffee, spending time with my doggos, and my Reiki practice.
Please share what helps you keep your center when everything feels off kilter!