Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

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Mark Twain once said to be satisfied with what one has--that is wealth.

If you live with free choice and have the financial means to cover necessities, consider yourself very lucky. Most of the world does not share these freedoms. It can be easy to lose perspective and get bogged down in what are really problems. For example, you may have trouble sleeping because your daughter did not make the right gymnastics team. You get obsessed with certain imperfections you find around your house. You worry because not every person likes you. These are problems you worry about because you can. If your basic survival needs were at risk, you would not worry about these complaints. Although you can worry about complaints, you really don’t want to be. It is complete wasted energy. The idea is to try and shift your thinking to maintaining a healthy outlook.

These are some ways to help:

Try and deal directly with the big stuff and let the rest go. One way to prosper in this very active fast-paced culture is to learn what to put your attention on and what to ignore. The big stuff, taking good care of yourself, saving more than you spend, discovering what you love, warrant your time and energy. The little issues, do not, such as keeping up with the daily gossip.

Ask yourself will this matter a year from now? This is an excellent question to help you differentiate the big stuff from the small stuff. This morning’s traffic jam or too many phone calls will not matter in a year. On the other hand, ignoring a chronic, feeling of emptiness and loneliness may trouble you a year from now.

Practice gratefulness daily and keep your life whole. It will help to appreciate everything that you have and guarantee that your life is gratifying, not only as a mom, wife, friend but as an individual as well. When you feel satisfied, in balance, and happy it is much easier to not sweat the small stuff.

Simpson, B. (2006). The Balanced Mom.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.