Worry Is Useless

What do you worry about?

Do you worry about losing your health, or your job? Do you worry what others think of you?

Worry is a useless emotion.

How did that sentence make you feel?

Worrying is always directed at an unconcrete bad thing happening in an indefinite future. And unlike fear, worrying doesn't have the benefit of warning you of a concrete immediate danger.

It gives us negative feelings. It makes us feel bad and makes our thoughts wander to an indefinite future. If we worry about something, that doesn't help us improve the situation.

Worrying about your health? Talk to your doctor and listen to scientific advice. Sleep well, eat healthy, and get enough exercise. Worries about your job? Take that energy you use for worrying and improve your skills. Practice writing or giving presentations or whatever is important for your profession. Learn something valuable. Worrying about your relationship? Worries don't help you be kinder or more compassionate. Practice kindness and learn about conflict-free communication.

“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Use worries as an indicator that something is important to you. Then let them go and improve the situation.

Liked this? Find more in my weekly newsletter about mindfulness for developers. Every week I share a short idea like the one above, three reading recommendations, and one mindfulness exercise.

Find the full issue here 👉 Worry - Nerdful Mind #53