Worrying About the Future

Sometimes in life, our mind gets stuck on questions like, “What if this happens?” or “What if I never achieve the life I want?” and fear takes over. This fear creates worry and freezes us in a place where it is hard to move forward.

Worry causes us to believe our fears or imaginations are true reality. Pausing to reflect on why we have these fears can help us understand where our worrying is coming from.

Here are some ways to get out of this worry cycle:

• Share your fear or worry with a trusted friend
• Focus on the present (point out 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste)
• Journal about your worry
• Give yourself a set amount of time to “worry” (example: I am allowed to worry for the next 10 minutes, then I will go on a walk)
• Allow yourself space to embrace conflicting emotions (I feel afraid that something bad might happen AND I feel excited to take a risk/step forward)

By giving ourselves space to accept our fear and worry, we can be more graceful to ourselves and the people around us.

If you need additional support, The Refuge Center is here to help! Feel free to contact us at 615-591-5262.