Managing Future Anxiety

It’s hard not to worry about the future. Climate change, AI, the job market—it feels like we’re living in a dystopian novel sometimes. When you look too far ahead, the world looks terrifying. But anxiety is just a misuse of the imagination. It’s focusing on all the things that could go wrong instead of all the things you can handle. You are more resilient than you think, and you have survived 100% of your hardest days so far.

The antidote to future anxiety is the present moment. You can't solve the problems of 2030 today, but you can decide what you’re having for dinner. By narrowing your focus to the next 24 hours, you regain a sense of control. Hope isn't about knowing that everything will be perfect; it's about knowing that you can handle whatever comes, one step at a time.

I want you to try 'grounding.' When the future feels too big, look around you. Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This pulls your brain out of the hypothetical future and back into the actual present. You are here. You are safe in this moment. That is a solid foundation to build on.

Don't let the 'what-ifs' rob you of your 'what-is.' You have agency right now. You have the power to make a positive impact on your immediate environment and the people in it. Focus on being the best version of yourself today. That is the most hopeful way to prepare for tomorrow. The future will get here when it gets here. For now, just focus on the next right step.