Hi, this is Monique Rhodes. Welcome to the In Your Right Mind podcast, where we’re learning how to be happier by working with our minds. If you’d like to know more about what I teach, visit moniquerhodes.com for all the information you need.
One of my students recently approached me, sharing that she spends a lot of time worrying and asked if I could speak about it. I came across a quote by Corrie Ten Boom that resonates deeply: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” These words strike at the heart of a truth we all know but often forget. Worry doesn’t solve problems, prepare us for the future, or protect us from pain. Instead, it quietly chips away at our energy, clarity, and ability to engage with life right now.
There’s a statistic that says about 85% of the things we worry about never actually happen. Yet, worry is a mental habit many of us fall into without realizing it. When faced with uncertainty, we often spin through endless “what-ifs,” imagining worst-case scenarios as if preparing for disaster will make it easier to handle. On the surface, this might seem like a form of protection—a way to plan or control outcomes. But if you’ve ever been caught in a loop of worry, you know how draining it can be.
Worry is unproductive. It keeps us stuck in our heads, replaying the same fears without offering real solutions. Think back to the last time you were deeply worried about something. Did worrying help you feel more prepared? Did it ease the outcome or solve the problem? Chances are, it only left you feeling exhausted, tense, or disconnected. Worry isn’t a strategy—it’s a reaction. And it often robs us of the strength we need to meet the present moment, which is what Corrie Ten Boom’s quote highlights.
Life is unpredictable. Challenges and uncertainties are inevitable, but worrying about them in advance doesn’t make them any less difficult when they arrive. It’s like carrying a heavy suitcase for a trip next week—it doesn’t lighten the load when the day comes, but it does exhaust you in the meantime. Worry is rooted in fear, particularly the fear of the unknown. Our minds crave certainty, and when it’s absent, we try to create control by imagining every possible outcome. But the future is vast, and no amount of mental rehearsal can account for every scenario. Worry focuses on potential negatives while ignoring positives or neutral outcomes.
The cost of worry is high—not just mentally, but physically and emotionally. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, tension headaches, and a general sense of unease can all stem from excessive worry. Ironically, most of what we worry about never happens. In focusing so much on an imagined future, we miss out on the present moment—where life is actually happening. The present is where we have agency, where we can take action, and where we can experience connection, joy, and peace. Worry pulls us out of this moment, and while we’re stuck in an imagined future, we let today’s opportunities and beauty slip by unnoticed.
Letting go of worry isn’t about ignoring reality or pretending life is easy. It’s about recognizing that worrying is rarely helpful. Planning and problem-solving are different—they’re intentional and focused efforts to address challenges. Worry, on the other hand, is repetitive and aimless—the mental equivalent of pacing back and forth without going anywhere.
So, what would it look like to reclaim your strength from worry?
Steps to Reclaim Your Strength:
1. Recognize Worry When It Happens
Often, worry operates in the background of our minds. Pause and acknowledge it: “I’m worrying right now.” Awareness is the first step.
2. Ask yourself:
- Is this worry helping me?
- Is there anything I can do about this right now?
If the answer is yes, take action—write the email, make the call, create the plan. Taking even a small step shifts your focus from fear to empowerment.
If the answer is no, let the worry go. This doesn’t mean suppressing your feelings; it means choosing not to let worry take up unnecessary space.
3. Replace Worry with Care
You can care deeply about your future, goals, and loved ones without being consumed by fear. Letting go of worry allows you to engage with what truly matters in the present.
4. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude shifts your focus from what might go wrong to what is already good in your life. Appreciating small things—a kind word, a quiet moment, or a delicious meal—grounds you in the present and reminds you that not everything is uncertain.
5. Engage in Mindfulness
Worry pulls us into the future, but mindfulness brings us back to the here and now. Practices like The 10 Minute Mind help break the cycle of worry and restore a sense of calm.
6. Separate Yourself from Your Worries
You are not your worries—you are the person experiencing them. With practice, you can acknowledge worry without letting it control you.
Tomorrow may bring challenges, but it may also bring joy, solutions, or opportunities you can’t imagine. Worry doesn’t protect us from hardship—it only robs us of the strength to face the present. The next time worry creeps in, take a breath and remind yourself: worrying won’t change the future. What will make a difference is showing up fully for today.
Corrie Ten Boom’s words remind us: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” Let’s reclaim our lives from the grip of worry. Life is happening right now—not in the imagined fears of the future. By letting go of worry, we make room for connection, growth, and happiness—the things that truly sustain us and give us strength.
Today is here, waiting for you. Choose to live in it. As always, be kind, take care, and go gently in the world.
