Stop Predicting The Future, Dare To Create It

Stop trying to predict the future. Keep this in mind. You do not have a crystal ball, nor is there a fortune teller nearby who has the ability to see what will happen tomorrow or after. So just drop it. Stop trying to anticipate things that have not happened yet, because there is no better way to torture yourself than by inventing a future, created only in your mind, driven by anxiety.

We know that it is very easy to say that, but in practice it is almost impossible to control the automatic flow of thought. When it comes to mental well-being, one would prefer to have the ability to just simply snap your fingers and stop what makes you suffer.

Unfortunately, it does not work that way. Instead, we often have to go through periods when we feel lost in a maze of worries with whirlwinds of overthinking.

Psychotherapist Albert Ellis says in his book How to Make Yourself Happy that people tend to create self-destructive habits in their lives almost without realizing it.

Predicting the future and imagining the worst events is a common habit. Removing this habit from one’s mental universe is not easy because it is often something one has done for as long as one can remember.

But you can learn to stop predicting the future. Let’s take a closer look.

Instead of predicting the future, transform your current situation

When you discover that you have entered a cycle where your thoughts are constantly just revolving around what will or will not happen: try this very simple method. Start by taking a deep breath and then exhale. There is no better way to hold on to the present than to become aware of your breathing.

You are made of flesh, bones and a brain that often moves faster than you would like. But your body and your mind are in need of being in your here and now. So breathe deeply and create a rhythmic calm in the abdomen where your nerves converge. It is important to create balance for your muscles to relax and to create peace of mind to avoid headaches.

Anxious minds are overactive and this can lead to stress and a skewed view of reality. It can make us easily perceive future events as negative, and this can cause our bodies to go into a state of emergency for danger. It’s like waiting for a threat. Our senses are sharpened and the body prepares for what is to come, real or imaginary. As a result, this causes muscle pain, discomfort and constant fatigue.

Trying to predict the future can be a devastating form of suffering. But why do we do this? Is this kind of thinking of any use? It does not seem so.

Focus on the present by giving yourself what you need

Reality exists in the present. However, we seldom linger in this now. The human mind is a tireless acrobat: it jumps from here to there, from the past to the future.

Most often we focus on remembering yesterday and focusing on mistakes, missed opportunities or unfulfilled dreams. Seconds later, with a quick pirouette, the mind moves us to the future where it dances through all sorts of scenarios of what could happen, or what could be missed.

You need to train your mental focus to stay in the present, in your here and now. Sometimes, however, the reality around us can be complex, sensitive and defined by constant uncertainty.

What can we do when everyday reality is full of obstacles ? The answer is simple: you have to give yourself what you need. Here are some strategies:

• Expect nothing. Instead, focus only on objectively analyzing what is happening and what you need to do here and now to feel good.
• Sometimes your immediate reality depends on taking action. In that case, do not postpone them. React, mobilize, transform and be proactive.
• At other times, it is best to do nothing. Simply accept what is happening, embrace the new reality and take care of yourself. How? By resting, accepting your feelings and staying calm.

Stop predicting the future and dare to create it

Some say we live in an era of distraction. Others believe that this is a time of constant anxiety. However, there is something that is still present: the worries of tomorrow.

The problem, however, is that you are always preparing for the worst. This level of anxiety causes problems and is not a good strategy.

Not trying to predict the future should definitely be our mantra for mental health. Instead, we recommend a different approach: transform your current into a better tomorrow.

Focus less on what is happening in your mind and more on what is happening around you, right here and right now. This is where opportunities arise and where you need yourself the most. As Mark Twain once said, ” I’ve been through a number of horrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. “

On many occasions, an understanding that our thoughts are deceiving us can enable us to focus our attention on what is actually happening right in front of us. We need each other right now. We must give ourselves care, balance, calm, connection and creativity.

The art of controlling thought and attention requires time and effort. But if you succeed, the effects will be therapeutic. Start the crucial work today!