#WorrierStrong — Overcoming My Overwhelmed Mind
The mind of a worrier…
I worry about yesterday, I worry about today, I worry about tomorrow. The scattered thoughts of a worrier:
Did I make the right decision yesterday?
Maybe I shouldn’t have spent so much money on those new clothes.
Will I need the money I spent yesterday?
Will I be ready for school when the next semester starts?
Maybe I won’t be able to afford my books because of how much I spent on the clothes.
Will I be ready for the snow?!
Will I be ready to let the year go?
Will I make my parents proud?
This is what I mean by the “mind of a worrier.” I’m constantly reminding myself of the past, what I could’ve done better, the future, and what could go wrong. The constant what-ifs and maybes– when will they end?
I have come to realize that this is me. I worry, and these worries can weigh me down and overwhelm my mind. While watching a childhood classic, I stumbled upon a helpful nugget of wisdom.
A wise monkey once said “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it” (The Lion King, 1994). Although I don’t run from my past, that monkey’s got the right idea. I have learned that to deal with my constant worrying I must learn to acknowledge the past and then let it go. What’s done is done, so there’s no use in dwelling over it. Hakuna matata. As I learn this, I slowly start to develop a mind that overcomes obstacles rather than a mind that feels overwhelmed by them. I began to think of the everyday simple obstacles as opportunities for victory. I face these obstacles head on and try my best to find assertive and respectful ways to resolve them. This may mean talking the problem out with whoever is involved, or doing a meditation so I can clear my mind before making an important decision. I have overcome these obstacles one way or another, and I can and will always learn from them; the good and the bad are equally important. We all must learn not to be consumed by our worries, but to use them as opportunities to exercise healthy decision-making and be resilient.
Written by Kiaryne Ramos, KBEP Intern