I might appear calm on the outside. I might deceive you by showing some of my stoic side in these letters. But by no means I am immune to worrying. In fact, I think I worry more than an average 24-year-old.

When I was employed, I worried about where I’m heading. When I decided to quit, I worried about how the decision would turn out. Now that I’m thinking of getting back into workforce, I worry about not finding good jobs. It’s an endless cycle.

But recently, I realized something. The other end of all your worries, your deepest fears becoming a reality, isn’t all that scary. It’s just alright.

When I came to know that my book is going to be published the next week, I got anxious. Anxious to the point of self-sabotage. I had had high expectations from the book and I was worried that 3 years of my work might just go in vain. I kept thinking that after next week, either I’d shed tears of happiness or I’d shed tears of dejection.

Well, the week passed, the month passed. The book has had practically zero sales. It’s worse than the worst case I had imagined. But guess what, I did not shed any tears. In fact, I don’t feel dejected at all. When I made it to the other end, and had to face my fears, I actually felt kinda relieved. The idea of shattered expectations, it turns out, was way scarier than the reality itself.

Looking back in time, I am able to apply this realization to all the worries I ever had. Every time I would worry and then get to the other side only to find out that it doesn’t feel as bad as I thought.

So does this help with reduction in anxiety? Yeah I mean it’s definitely reassuring that whatever you’re afraid of, you can most definitely face it. But just knowing it doesn’t extinguish all our worries instantly. It’s a practice. You’ll need to make a conscious effort every time you’re worried. You’ll need tell your mind again and again to let go of fears, for all they are, are mere illusions.

🤔 Makes me wonder

Want to read more on this topic? Akta writes way better than me!

And here’s a poem on getting started from Brianna’s Salt Water.

I hope you are enjoying this new format. At least I am! I love that I get to share other people’s work and the fact that my random thoughts (aphorisms) now have an outlet. Also, I didn’t know that Pinterest is so resourceful! (all images you see are stolen from Pinterest)

How did you like this one? Have you felt your worries being rendered meaningless when you reach the other end? Let me know by replying to this email or commenting on the website.

Thanks for reading!
Aachman