What to do when you can’t stop thinking, worrying, and obsessing? 

Our elder shares a few thoughts on how to find hope during these ‘epic hard times.’

Dear EWC:

Hello. I can’t stop worrying about everything. About every little thing and it bothers me. I can’t help it.

My bed recently got soaked because of my aquarium and I can’t sleep because I’m thinking that it might get soaked again. I can’t stop thinking if my fishes will be dead if I wake up. I can’t stop rewinding a movie or a series just to check if I missed any little detail. I’m rewinding it for about 3-5 times just to make sure. And all other little things.

I need help. What should I do? Please.

G-Ma-Lynn replies:

These are very trying times, Let me offer some observations about your situation and perhaps give you some things to think about.

You seem to be worrying about so many little things in your life right now and that is making you feel anxious and a little bit out of control. I get it. You cannot seem to shut your brain off and get a little time to just relax. It is stressful and just seems to keep going on and on.

You need to try to break out of this cycle of constant worry. There really is no need for it. Things are going to be OK. Just remember that. Keep telling yourself that. We all need to do this. And we all need to just take a deep breath and let things go a bit.

You are not alone in feeling this way. We are getting many, many letters from young people all over the world who are struggling in the same way that you are. These are uncertain times for everyone. We try to look ahead but cannot seem to see a future that looks encouraging. So many people around us are having a difficult time. We are going through some epic hard times. 

And yet, we must have HOPE. We must, each one of us, not give in to despair but be filled with optimism. We must each try, in our own way to look to each new day as a chance to turn things around.

I will tell you that you have the power to control your life. Each of us has the ability to choose how we think. Each of us has the power to choose to think thoughts of positivity. We each have the choice to not give in to negativity. So make yourself a promise that tomorrow, you will start to take back some control over your life.

I wish you good fortune and hope that you will take some steps to stretch and grow and discover new things about yourself. I think that by writing to Elder Wisdom Circle and bravely asking for help, you have taken some huge steps to be feeling better very soon. 

Namaste

Self-Improvement 

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