12 Casual Phrases That Help You Stop Stressing About Things That Really Don't Matter
jorge fakhouri filho | Pexels Do you think you could ever stop worrying? Quitting worry is, for many, a bit like saying you’re going to live in an exotic country and saying you’re jealous of your friends who’ve already done it, but always finding a way never to leave your hometown.
Most of us know that worry isn’t helpful — especially about things that don't matter in the long run — often painful, but we still cling to it for some reason. Here are a few casual phrases to help you shift your relationship with worry so you do it less.
Here are a few casual phrases that'll help you stop stressing about things out of your control:
1. 'People worry because it gives them a sense of control'
A small part of people who worry a lot believe that by entertaining worrying thoughts, they will, in some way, clutch back some control they feel they lack. There are some things, actually most things, in life that you cannot control, and worrying about them will give you even less control.
2. 'If you’ve ever felt energized by worrying, you may have an unhealthy relationship with anxiety'
Is worrying what you want to waste your energy on? Research suggests that while excessive worrying is detrimental, moderate worry can sometimes feel energizing — it's all about striking the right balance. This is because worry motivates, signaling the human need to take action and prepare for a potentially harmful outcome.
3. 'Worry is a woeful misuse of the imagination'
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Instead of imagining what could go wrong, start imagining what could go right.
4. 'Worrying happens when we buy into the perceived importance of serious and heavy thoughts'
Your mind lies to you more than you think.
5. 'Worrying is not the same as thinking through a problem'
The former is a panic response, whereas the latter is a creative one. Worrying is not the solution to your problems.
6. 'Our thoughts are not there to be believed but instead used as a tool'
Notice your thoughts, but don't believe all of them/
7. 'Worry decreases our performance'
Worrying takes us out of the present, where we perform our best with a clearer presence of mind. Worrying about the future and the past doesn't matter, because the present is the only thing that exists right now — you can't change the past, and you can't control the future.
8. 'When we believe made-up ideas in our heads, we sabotage ourselves'
When we feel the stress of our thoughts, we sabotage ourselves and block our brilliance. You're worrying so much that you're making up more problems, adding to your worry. Believing made-up ideas in our heads often involves concepts like the illusory truth effect, where repeated exposure to a statement, even if false, can make it seem more believable.
9. 'Worry is like putting up a thick black tarp to protect your plants when all they needed was sunlight'
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Don't block what you don't know. Don't make something complicated that's actually super simple.
10. 'If worrying makes you feel worse, redirect your thoughts'
Spend your time making yourself feel happy, not stressed.
11. 'The alternative to worry is to be present'
Learn how to live in the moment — it's pure peace.
12. 'Without the burden of worry, you will succeed three times as fast'
You're the only one standing in your way. Step aside.
Alex Mathers is a writer and coach who helps you build a money-making personal brand with your knowledge and skills while staying mentally resilient. He's the author of the Mastery Den newsletter, which helps people triple their productivity.
