Taking Charge of Anxiety: What’s Within Your Control

My writing is only about a week old (so there’s no real backlog). Every time I wrap up a topic that’s been on my mind, I immediately shift into “exploration” and “visionary” mode, searching for the next subject. Most of the time, the ideas I land on are rooted in real experiences, observations, or simply thoughts that feel meaningful.

This week, the focus is on anxiety. By chance, I had two fascinating conversations about this topic recently—not from a theoretical perspective (e.g., what anxiety is or how to manage it)—but more personal and reflective. I listened carefully, gathered my thoughts, and shared some recollections, blending my own experiences and beliefs. Not as a rigid “this is the way” approach, but more as an example of what’s worked for me. Ultimately, I believe we each need to create our own unique, flexible systems to address challenges like anxiety.

If you’ve read my recent article on mental well-being, you might already have a glimpse into my broader philosophy. But in this piece, I want to take it a step further. My goal is to offer four practical, actionable steps to help close a few of those mental “doors and windows” and block out that persistent little fellow who loves to sneak in uninvited.

Hear me out.

You are not the center of the universe

The first step I want to highlight is having perspective. It’s crucial to acknowledge our own struggles and the triggers that fuel our unconscious minds. These problems are real, and they deserve respect. But at the same time, it’s worth reminding ourselves that we’re not the center of the universe. Sometimes, all we need is to step back, find grounding, and hit the reset button.

Perspective can come from many places. For me, it’s often books, movies, or real stories about people who’ve faced incredible challenges. When you start looking beyond yourself and seeing the bigger picture, you create some distance between your problems and your mind. Suddenly, those issues that seemed massive shrink in size. It’s not about dismissing them but understanding them better by placing yourself in the broader context of the world around you.

A great trick is to ask yourself one simple question: In a year, how will this problem look? What about in a month? Or even a week? If the answer is that it won’t matter in the short term, throw that negative thought straight into the recycle bin. By shifting your focus and changing the lens through which you view your situation, you can free up your mind to focus on what truly matters—and let the rest fade into the background.

Talking about sources of inspiration and gaining perspective - I recommend this great book around Tom Crean that opened my eyes many times during the last few days.

Embrace the silence and control the narrative

Depeche Mode said that first. Simply start turning inward, learning to enjoy the silence and, more importantly, your own company. It’s about giving yourself the time and space to really listen to your thoughts, even the uninvited ones that show up unexpectedly. Instead of letting these thoughts take over, you take control of the narrative. This is about understanding yourself better and embracing your inner world, rather than running from it.

It might sound simple, even a bit silly, but this kind of inner focus can make a world of difference. A few minutes of undisturbed time—whether through breathing exercises, quiet reflection, or just sitting still—can help you center your energy. This small act of mindfulness can anchor you, allowing you to face whatever challenges come your way with clarity and strength.

In those quiet moments, you’ll find that confidence and power start to build within you. No matter what you’re dealing with, this practice of tuning into yourself reminds you that you’ve got this. The noise of the world fades, and you rediscover the resilience and calm that’s already inside you, just waiting to be tapped into.

While the first two ideas are more spiritual and reflective, the next step is all about practicality.

Multitasking: The Mask We All Need to Drop

Let’s talk about multitasking—the so-called “superpower” we convince ourselves we’re great at. The truth? Multitasking is a disaster for productivity and an absolute anxiety nuclear bomb. Sure, it feels like you’re juggling a million things, but what you’re really doing is spreading yourself thin and setting the stage for chaos.

Stop fooling yourself. You’re not some multitasking prodigy. No one is. The constant switching between tasks is a signal of weakness, not strength. It shows a lack of focus and a tendency to create more problems than you solve. Instead of letting multitasking run the show, take control: actively manage the chaos instead of producing it.

Here’s how: focus on one thing at a time. Fully commit, finish it, and then move on to the next task. Prioritize, complete, and execute—in that order. It’s not rocket science, but it’s powerful. By simplifying your approach, you’ll cut down on stress, boost your effectiveness, and most importantly, reclaim a sense of calm in your day.

Tip of the Day: Take a moment to observe yourself while you multitask. Are you the charming, lovable person everyone admires? Or have you turned into someone people quietly avoid? Be honest with yourself.

Here’s the challenge: reflect on your multitasking behavior in an environment where you don’t feel the need to wear a mask. No filters, no pretending. Are you truly managing everything seamlessly, or are you just creating unnecessary chaos? You see my point?

The simple Make Your List habit

A great habit that ties perfectly to tackling multitasking is the simple act of making lists.

Grab a piece of paper and organize your thoughts before the dawn of a new day. Map out everything you want to accomplish, embedding your daily rituals, habits, and tasks in a clear order of priority. This small step helps shift the chaos out of your head and into a structured plan you can actually follow.

As you work through your day, moving tasks from “to-do” to “done,” you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction and progress. That’s the beauty of lists—they’re not just about productivity; they’re a tangible reminder that you’re moving forward. For perhaps the first time, you might notice how steady and consistent progress can feel. It’s a quiet kind of momentum, but it’s powerful.

Stick with this practice every day, and before you know it, you’ll recalibrate that unconscious “juggling” chip in your brain. You’ll find yourself naturally managing things with less stress and more focus.

The key here is discipline—staying on track and trusting the process. Small habit with big rewards.

Let’s not fool ourselves—stress and anxiety come as part of the society and environment we’ve chosen (most of us) to live in. That’s just the reality. But within these conditions, there’s always a space—and I’d argue it’s the biggest one—where we get to decide how we operate every day, every moment.

In this space, there are things we can do to ease that anxious feeling and lessen its impact on our body, our mind, and the lives of the people around us.

Stay healthy!