Things you should stop worrying about this year

Worry is often times seen as a negative emotion when in essence, it can be a natural and even necessary part of life as it can help us identify problems and find solutions.

However, excessive worrying can be harmful and can lead to increased stress, anxiety and even physical health problems.

If you find yourself constantly worrying about things that may never happen or that you have no control over, it may be time to take a step back and reassess your priorities as you look into your resolutions for this year.

Difficult as it may be not to overthink certain issues, here are five things you should stop worrying about in 2023:

Other people's opinions

It is natural to want to be liked and respected by others and feel a sense of validation when others approve of our actions or choices. But, you need to remind yourself that you can't please everyone all the time. Trying to do so can be an exhausting and ultimately futile endeavour.

You would rather focus on your own goals and values rather than constantly seeking validation from others.

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This is a much more fulfilling and rewarding approach to life. It allows you to be true to yourself and to make decisions that align with your own priorities rather than constantly trying to conform to others' expectations.

Past mistakes

Drill it into your brain and remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and it's important to learn from them and move on. Don't get stuck in the past and let your mistakes define you.

This is because dwelling on these mistakes can be detrimental to your mental health and overall well-being. Instead of dwelling on the past, try to focus on what you can learn from your mistakes and how you can move forward.

Forgive yourself, practice some self-compassion and remind yourself that you are only human. Try to be kind and understanding towards yourself, just as you would with a loved one.

Perfection

Subjective and different for everyone, perfection is an unattainable goal and striving for it can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment.

You must remember that it's okay to make mistakes and that it's the journey, not the destination, which is most important.

If you're not careful, the pursuit of perfection can be all-consuming and can take up a lot of your time and energy. This can prevent you from moving forward and achieving your goals. Instead of striving for perfection which you can't achieve by the way, focus instead on learning and how you can improve.

Things you can't control

There are many things in life that are beyond our control, and worrying about them is a waste of time and energy. Accept that there are some things that are out of your control and try to let go of the need to control them. Although this can be difficult, it is ultimately a liberating step.

You can do this by finding ways to cope. These may include mindfulness, deep breathing and positive self-talk. If these don't work then now may be a good time to seek some support and therapy.