A Different Way to Approach Anxiety

Who hasn’t experienced anxiety at some point in their lives? A little anxiety can be unpleasant but manageable, yet for those who feel it powerfully and frequently, it can be truly devastating—affecting sleep, relationships, and overall well-being.

So, what can we do about it? We often think of anxiety as a form of fear, yet unlike fear—which usually has a clear source—anxiety can feel like a shapeless, untethered worry. That’s why we can drive ourselves in circles trying to figure out, “Why am I anxious?” or “What exactly is causing it?”

Here’s an alternative approach: instead of obsessing over the question ‘why’, try answering it in an entirely unexpected way. Each time you find yourself asking, “Why am I feeling anxious?” respond firmly and calmly with: “I genuinely don’t know. There is no way to know, so I’ll just let it be.”

This may sound too simple, but there’s a real power in this response. By halting the constant mental search for a cause, you break free from overthinking and allow your mind the space to rest. You remind yourself that not everything needs a logical explanation—sometimes, feelings just ‘are’. When you practice this, you may feel a sense of relief, a kind of gentle acceptance that can pave the way back to peace.

Give it a try. The next time anxiety creeps up, notice that endless cycle of mental questioning and simply repeat: “I don’t know, and there’s no way to know; I let it be.”

It may take practice, but it can help ease the burden of anxiety by cutting off the fruitless chase for explanations. And that can be a big step toward reclaiming your calm.

Try this approach next time anxiety shows up. After all, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is ‘nothing at all’—and simply let your feelings be.