Never Worry Alone
We all worry a ton. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s called being human.
Take the pandemic. It was a public health crisis on so many levels. It wasn’t just the rancid virus. The mental health aspect was crap too.
Social distancing (or should that be “antisocial” distancing) didn’t help. It forced us to live in a way counter to our natural instincts.
Even here in Hong Kong, where it felt for a while we were in the safest place in the world, it became clear we really, really weren’t…
Anyway, in times of stress, we all need ways to emotionally regulate.
Not all of us have a friend, life coach, or elderly relative to fall back on.
But you don’t have to worry alone.
At the very least, that’s where books step in. That’s where YouTube can help. That’s where the internet can be your friend. Let them be your sounding board.
Here are three approaches that have helped my mental hygiene in recent months.
Don’t get lost in the social media doom scroll. Read books
I did one of my twice-a-year detoxes recently. No Facebook. No Insta. It’s been liberating.
Instead, I’ve reached across to my bookshelf, dusted down a few forgotten paperbacks, and read. It’s been glorious.
Here are four books I’ve dipped into:
The Rules of Life. It’s funny how you can forget how much value you got from a book when you first read it. This is one of those books.
Take some of the rules:
Rule 3: Accept what is done is done
Rule 6: Dedicate your life to something
Rule 34: You’ll never understand everything
Rule 80: We’re all closer than we think
It will open your eyes. Find it here.
Practicing The Power of Now. Ok, not everyone is into “spirituality” but I discovered this book in some anxiety-ridden times many years ago.
Reconnecting with Eckhart Tolle’s classic has been beautiful. It reopened my eyes to a very simple principle: “Now” is all there is.
Find it here.
Conversations with God. All I can say about this one is…deep, deep, deep. It’s kind of like a fictional conversation with God. But not exactly…
I bought it about 10 years ago. And, boy, I forgot how deep it is.
Seriously, if you want to have an understanding of your place in the world, dig in. It will make you think. It will contextualize your worry.
Find it here.
100 Ways to Motivate Yourself. This is another one I’ve had for years and go to once in a while. It’s another bite-sized handbook.
Some seriously good motivators:
#5 Learn to sweat in peace
#44 Just make everything up
#85 Replace worry with action
Find it here.
Listen to a psychologist
You don’t even need to visit a psychologist.
I watched this YouTube video the other day and it inspired me to write this post. It’s with Dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist.
It’s entitled: “How To Finally Overcome Stress & Anxiety”. It does what it says.
Enjoy guilty pleasures
Fun and silly are good for the soul.
The website below teleports you around the world. Every continent. You’re just there. It’s fun and freeing if you let it. Don’t believe me? Take a look.
And then there’s music. Sweet, sweet music. I’m currently brainwashing my daughter with this classic. It’s pure happiness. I dare you to not tap your feet to it!
Find your way around worry. With or without people, you don’t have to do it alone.
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