Sometimes, I catch myself treating worries or rumination as if they are things I must hold on to. But what if they are not? What if they are actually things I can let go of?
This thought has led me to an experiment: focus on staying busy—so busy that there’s no time to dwell on worries or spiral into repetitive thoughts.
How Can I Stay Busy?
To stay busy with purpose, I decided to identify activities that truly matter to me. Here’s the approach:
- List things that hold value for you.
- Reflect on what you find meaningful or fulfilling in your life. It’s not about what others think is important or what might impress them—this is about you. If you haven’t started yet, don’t overthink it—just take the first small step. It doesn’t have to be perfect or grand; what matters is beginning. Every meaningful journey starts with a simple action.
- Write down smaller, actionable steps
- Identify the specific tools, resources, or skills you might need.
- Start doing them
- If you’ve already begun these activities, allocate more time to deepen your involvement or take them to the next level.
- If you haven’t started yet, don’t overthink it—just take the first small step. It doesn’t have to be perfect or grand; what matters is beginning. Every meaningful journey starts with a simple action.
- Celebrate small wins along the way to stay motivated
- If you’ve created an achievement list like I have, add your accomplishments to it—it’s a great way to track your progress. Also, take a moment to celebrate the fact that you’ve started working on things that truly matter to you. Journaling can be a wonderful way to acknowledge and reflect on this meaningful step forward.
My Example: Work as a Source of Fulfillment
For me, work is both meaningful and important. Here’s how I stay busy in this area:
I enjoy acquiring advanced knowledge in my field to enhance my skills. This allows me to take on challenging tasks and gain recognition for the impact of my work. To achieve this, I plan to focus on studying areas like XXX, YYY, and ZZZ—key topics that will deepen my expertise and help me reach my goals.
Just making the plan keeps me busy! And when I set a tentative deadline—understanding that it’s flexible—it helps me stay focused. While unexpected priorities may arise and shift the timeline, having a clear starting point is empowering.
Overcoming the Comfort Zone of Worry
Getting started is often the hardest part. It’s tempting to stay in the “comfort zone” of familiar worries or repetitive thoughts. But once I begin, I often find myself deeply engaged without even realizing it.
Someone once compared starting a new endeavor to launching a rocket:
Once you start the countdown—3, 2, 1—there’s no turning back.
Similarly, the act of starting can ignite momentum, helping you tackle meaningful tasks and leave behind unproductive ruminations.
Staying Busy Resolves Stagnation
By staying focused on what truly matters, I’ve learned that being purposefully busy is one of the best ways to resolve mental stagnation. It pulls me away from unnecessary worries or rumination, which, honestly, can usually be forgotten with a sense of relief. If these thoughts were truly important, I would have already acted on them. Most of the time, they don’t contribute to my growth, and letting go of them creates space for more productive, fulfilling actions.
This effort requires discipline and commitment, but it’s worth it. After all, I’m working on something that holds genuine value for me—and that makes it an exciting, rewarding pursuit.
About Me: Hi, I’m Evolving Mind. Through this blog, I share my journey of self-discovery and mental well-being. Journaling has been a powerful tool for me, and I hope to inspire others to find their own path to peace and clarity.
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