Reduce Anxiety by Letting Go

Reduce Anxiety by Letting Go: Pause, Breathe, and Focus on What You Can Control

When life gets overwhelming and we find ourselves anxious about so many things, we need to pause, take a deep breath, and consider what we can control and what we cannot. 

I love this visual of our minds because it clearly shows what we have control over:  

• My boundaries (it’s okay to say no) 

• My thoughts and actions (Seeking out the good around me and being grateful) 

• Goals for myself (not MY goal for others, even my kids) 

• What I give my energy to (why give so much power to that person who bothers me when I’m not around them?) 

• How I speak to myself (Would I say those negative things to my best friend?) 

• How I handle challenges (With confidence, asking for help if needed) 

It can be so difficult to let go of the things I cannot control, especially when it involves someone I love. No matter how hard I try, these things will always be out of my control: 

• How others take care of themselves (as much as I want them to be healthy, it’s their choice) 

• What other people think, believe and do (as much as I want them to like me, or behave or believe in a certain way, they may not, and I have to be okay with that) 

• The past (I can learn from my mistakes, but I do not need to live in regret). 

• The future (I can plan, but I need to hold my plans loosely). 

• The outcome of my efforts (I can try my best, but my goal may not be met on time or as I wanted) 

We have prepared an easy printable for anxiety management!

You can keep them for reference on your mobile device or print out to have on hand when you need a quick reminder. There are 2 of each type including a general one and a faith based one. Take a peek:

I find this so helpful to pull out and look at when I find myself struggling, in a spiral of negativity, or anxious about something. It’s a good reminder that I can choose my path and let others choose theirs.

In moments of overwhelm, remembering what is in my control helps me release unnecessary stress and focus on what truly matters. Ultimately, by letting go of what I cannot change, I empower myself to live more peacefully and with greater ease. This is how I continue to reduce anxiety by letting go.

Get your own downloadable mindfulness copy by clicking here.