Start Today and Have a Worry Free Life

It was February 28, 2020. On this day I made a life transforming decision to give something up that would change my life for the better.

I made the decision to give up worry. To give it up – all together. For good.

Here’s how it happened.

Every day in my morning success ritual, I take time to sit quietly and simply be with my thoughts. I journal, meditate, and read something inspirational. I read a variety of topics and typically have a number of books and devotionals on my end table and in my kindle so I can read as the mood strikes me.

The interesting thing is, in three different places, on three consecutive days I read something about worry and at the root of worry - fear. I can’t say that I was obsessed with the topic at the time, but as it continued to show up I realized there have been many times in my life where worry has held me back.

I thought to myself - I have a choice here. Why can’t I start today to have a worry-free life?

It was during the season of Lent – the forty days leading up to Easter, where millions of people decide to give something up such as complaining, TV, or junk food as a sign of sign of sacrifice and self-discipline.

Maybe, I considered, I should give up “worry” for Lent. Then I took it a step further. It’s time to give up worry for good.

Isn’t it interesting that I made this decision in February of 2020 having no idea how our world would drastically in just a few short weeks? Of course, I couldn’t have known we would plummet into a global pandemic. I am glad I made the decision to when I did, and it has been transformational.

What actually is the definition of worry?

According to Merriam-Webster the meaning of worried is:

Mentally troubled or concerned: feeling or showing concern or anxiety about what is happening or might happen.

It’s a state of anxiety or uncertainty over actual and even more often potential problems. Most of your worry is about something you are concerned may happen in the future. But get this: Research reveals that over 90% of the things you worry about never happen. Think about this for a moment.

This means that your time spent in destructive worry is useless and unproductive, and steals your mind away from the present. When you are distracted by worry you will be less effective in your day-to-day tasks, increase stress, and diminish the things in your life that bring you joy.

So, what can you do to stop your worry for good? Follow these 7 Ways to Live a Worry-Free Life:

1. Be aware of your mindset.

With consciousness comes change. You know that you can’t fix a problem until you recognize the problem. So recognize your worry. When your mind starts spinning over a problem in an unhealthy way, grab those thoughts.

2. Examine your worry.

What are you worrying about? Name it. Even write it down. This is an important step. Don’t push your worry away - pull the covers off completely and look at it straight in the face.

3. Tell the truth.

Identify the worry statements as truth or fiction. It is easy to start worrying about something small and before you know it, you are at worse case scenario. Can you relate to this one? You text your child who is running late. They don’t answer. You begin to worry. Time goes by and you imagine something has happened to them. You imagine them hurt or in a hospital, or worse. More often than not, the things you are worrying about are possible scenarios for the future - often exaggerated in your own mind.

4. Keep Giving it Up.

Every day, on some days several times during the day, give up worry. Simply let it go. Lean on your faith. It has helped me to know that a higher power is in control, and I will do my part and give the rest up. I give it up and go on with my day.

5. Take action.

I have found one of the biggest ways to stop worrying is to take action where you can. There may be things out of your control, but there is always something you can do to move forward. Identify what positive action can you take in response to your worry, and take it.

6. Focus on the good.

As worry is a negative response, choose to focus on the positive things in your life instead. Shift your mind from worry to naming all of the good things in your life. What is going well? What can you celebrate? What are you thankful for. Making a I am grateful list shifts your mind to a positive place and helps you replace worry with a grateful heart.

7. Be present.

Most of the time worry takes root in thoughts about the past or concerns for the future. Take one day and one moment at a time. Be present with your family and enjoy the moments with them. Be present in your work and bring your best self to your tasks, team members, and clients.

When I started this practice I wrote in big letters on a bulletin board in my house - I have given up worry. I walked past it several times a day and it reminded me that I made the choice to live a worry-free life. Follow these steps, and you can too.

I have given up worry.