Overcoming the Worries of My Life – 365 Steps to Happiness
Sometimes we resist certain exercises or thoughts internally. That’s exactly how I felt when I first encountered the topic “The Worries of My Life.” My initial reaction was: Why should I deal with old worries? I want to think positively and not stir everything up again.
The video:
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Yet it was precisely during this exercise that something important became clear to me: I have already overcome many of these worries. Not by suppressing them, but through time, through processing, through reflection, through allowing emotions, and through grief. All of that helped me.
Scars Tell Stories
I have a scar on my left hand. A white line running from top to bottom. It appeared many years ago, when my children were still small. While doing the dishes, the handle of a ceramic cup broke off. Ceramic cuts extremely sharply. The cut was deep and it bled heavily.
I tried to take care of the wound myself, but at some point my hand went numb. At the hospital, it had to be stitched. Today, everything is healed. The scar is still there, but it no longer hurts.
And that’s exactly how it is with emotional wounds.
The Greatest Worry of My Life
One of the greatest worries of my life was—and still is—the worry about my children. Small children can’t take care of themselves, that’s normal. But at some point they learn, and as parents, we are meant to let go step by step.
For me, this process was abruptly interrupted. I placed my children with a foster family when they were seven and nine years old. My soul could not find peace afterward. I couldn’t say goodbye slowly, couldn’t let go gradually. This natural transition was taken away from me.
I sought help and had many conversations. The mix of worrying about my children and the grief over losing my role as a mother was extremely heavy. The children weren’t gone—I just saw them every two weeks. That was hard.
When Does the Pain End?
Looking back, I can’t say exactly when the pain stopped. There was no clear moment. It was simply different one day.
It was similar with my fear of heights. After living in a rooftop tent for about a year, I suddenly realized that the fear was gone. Ladders, heights, cliffs—my body and soul had learned that they were safe. One day I walked across a shaky suspension bridge and felt no fear at all.
It was the same with the worry about my children. I talked about it often with a friend. At some point, I noticed that I hardly thought about it anymore. And if I did, I no longer suffered.
That is the goal: being able to remember without those paralyzing, negative emotions.
Talking, Accepting, Seeing the Positive
What helped me most was talking about it again and again—with people I trust. And at the same time, learning to see the positive aspects.
Through this situation, I found myself in a parenting arrangement that many separated parents know: having the children on weekends. This time is intense, precious, and full of attention. No everyday arguments—just genuine shared moments.
That gave rise to gratitude within me.
Gratitude as a Key
I firmly believe that gratitude is a key to overcoming worries—also financial worries. Of course, basic needs must be met: food, a roof over one’s head. When money is tight, you cut costs, seek help, and perhaps go to debt counseling.
At some point, the worries pass. Often, a feeling of uncertainty lingers for a while. But that too dissolves when you feel grateful for having made it through. For the fact that it’s over.
Gratitude brings peace of mind.
A Final Thought
If you like, feel free to write to me about which worries you have overcome in your life. You don’t have to, though. Maybe it’s enough to simply reflect on it for yourself.
I wish you a wonderful day, much strength, and many small steps toward inner calm.
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