Feeling anxious is normal and often part and parcel of life. 

Anxiety is a fear of what might happen in the future. Sometimes this fear is rational and sometimes it’s all about our imagination. Perhaps we think for worst-case scenario, perhaps we experience despair and the agony about our inability to take an action.

Life is essentially ambiguous and predicting future is impossible. In face of future security, we tend to avoid uncertainty and experience fear when there is a lack of clarity about the future. 

In this case, how can we stay calm when our mind is racing?

Yes, we cannot ignore the threat and its future consequences, that is around the corner. And therefore, dealing with anxiety is not easy.

Then what can we do at our best to overcome anxious thoughts?

We can transform fearful thoughts into more meaningful thoughts that can cultivate a sense of hope.

Then the next question is how this is possible?

First, we just need to understand the purpose of anxiety.

Yes, anxiety has a purpose. It protects us from danger. In fact, it is a tool that is keeping human race safe since ages. In appropriate amount, fear motivates us to look at various options to figure out the best possible solution. So anxiety isn’t useless.

If anxiety is useful, why do we feel overwhelming with fearful thoughts? 

Separating reality from imagination 

It is understandable that we get anxious for so many reasons. It is upsetting, especially when we don’t know where life is heading. Then we may be tempted to imagine a worst-case scenario.

When in extreme, the threat of being exposed to an unpredictable future can damage to our self-esteem. The threat may be different for each one of us, but the experience remains relatively the same. In other words, when we are chased by uncertainty about life, worries provoke, which are overwhelming.

Thankfully, most of our worries never turned come true. However, experiencing anxiety is intensely frightening. It stimulates uncomfortable feelings that take us down.

Therefore, being able to separate the reality from the unreal is what matters. 

Now, it has been clear that anxiety is a tool that warns us about a future danger. The uncomfortable feelings we experience are nothing but the reaction to our thoughts, which are mostly negative.

So the logic is quite simple. We just need to process our thoughts differently in the face of danger. Instead of reacting quickly, we need to channel our thoughts consciously that can make us feel ‘light’.

Situations are not always bad

There is no blue print or manual that can tell us, how to lead a perfect life. We are living in a world where “change is the only constant”. Things can change significantly over the period of time. Therefore, there is hardly any chance that all our future worries come true.

And if this is the case, we can change our thinking as ‘pathway thinking’.

What does ‘pathway thinking’ means? 

Pathway thinking means developing a plan to achieve specific life’s goals, no matter how dismal things seem to be. Setting a goal and mapping a plan to achieve it gives a sense of destination, and motivation to get started. Here, simply we are replacing our worries with workable ideas. 

It’s definitely a good idea to think about a plan, to think about a life in a completely different direction. It’s all about shaping something new that can add value to our life. When we actively look for other ways, we probably have a  hopeful outlook on life. 

For example, suppose you are not happy with your work profile. You are concerned about your professional growth, job opportunities and financial responsibilities. It’s obvious to get nervous and anxious with these worries. Let’s see how pathway thinking is helpful to you in this situation.

First you need to accept the fact that you are not happy with your job profile. With this acceptance, you need to think on other ways that can improve your professional skillsets. These could be simple things like improving communications skills, learning new language, opting for new course and searching for new job opportunities etc .

Now, as a part of pathway thinking, you need to make these activities as a part of your daily routine. When you think more on these skillsets, it will automatically replace your worrisome thoughts with actionable ideas. When you actually implement these activities in daily life, it will help to improve your confidence, self-esteem and mental strength.

And as you know, in this changing world, a good job opportunity can come to you at any time. But before that, first you need to stay prepared with different skillsets to reap the benefits of upcoming opportunity.

Of course, this path will be marked by stresses, roadblocks, disappointment and failure. But we need to “choose” this path even when prospect may not be so favorable. 

As said earlier, change is the only constant in this world, we can’t denied the possibilities hold in uncertain future. In the face of changing world,  we need to be prepared to grab these opportunities which is possible only when we work on ‘pathway thinking’.

You see; uncertainty could not be a reason to feel hopeless. In fact, it is a cause to change our thinking, modify our behavior and cultivate a sense of hope.

Transforming anxiety into hope won’t reduce uncertainty, but it can help us to make peace with situation and come out as stronger and more resilient individual.

Also Check : Embracing Optimism For Mental Well-being

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Mediclin Brain Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.