Here's why You're Stressed all the Time

Food for Thought

Here’s why You’re Stressed all the Time

457 Words | 2.3 Minute Read

If you’re reading this, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for choosing to take a moment of vulnerability with me- while we discuss a topic that many people consider taboo-

High levels of stress.

There was a time in my life when stress wasn’t just an occasional visitor; it had taken up permanent residence in my mind.

I was constantly battling a storm of worries and what-ifs, pushing myself to the brink in pursuit of “success” (not to mention I never clearly defined what success meant to me). It took a toll on my health, relationships, and peace of mind. It was a struggle, but through it, I discovered valuable lessons about the root causes of stress and how to manage it.

Today, I want to share those insights with you. I’m writing these lessons just as much to myself- as I am to you. We have all become chronic stress addicts and only deliberate work is going to break us free of these chains.

Insight #1: Trying to Control the Uncontrollable

One major source of my stress was my attempt to control everything. From work outcomes to other people's actions, I thought I could manage it all. But the truth is, many aspects of life are beyond our control.

Once I accepted this, the weight on my shoulders began to lift. Realizing that it’s okay to let go and focus on what truly is in my power to change was liberating.

Insight #2: Not Living in the Present Moment

Another stress catalyst was my constant preoccupation with the past and the future, robbing me of the joy found in the present.

The 'what could have been' and 'what might be' overshadowed the 'what is.'

Embracing mindfulness and learning to be fully present in the moment transformed my perspective. It's astonishing how much beauty and peace you can find in the now when you're not constantly looking backward or forward.

My good friend Leigh St. John is a master at this practice- he alone shifted my perspective and ability to be fully present in just one conversation between us.

Insight #3: Putting Too Much Pressure on Yourself

The pressure I placed on myself to succeed was immense. It wasn’t about doing my best but about being the best, and anything less felt like failure. This mindset was a recipe for perpetual stress.

Gradually, I learned that success is not measured by external achievements but by personal growth. Striving to be just 1% better than I was yesterday became my new goal. This small, daily investment in self-improvement has paid dividends across all areas of my life.

The Final Lesson: Being Fully Present and Continuously Improving

Through these struggles, I realized that the essence of managing stress lies in being fully present and embracing the journey of incremental improvement.

It's not about the towering leaps but the small, consistent steps forward. Every day offers a new opportunity to grow, learn, and be better. When you focus on that 1% improvement, the pressure to succeed at all costs diminishes, and you begin to appreciate the journey itself.

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by stress, remember: Let go of what you can't control, immerse yourself in the present, and focus on being slightly better today than you were yesterday. These principles have been transformative for me, and I believe they can be for you too.

Embrace the present, invest in your growth, and watch as stress begins to lose its grip on your life.

Wishing you peace and progress,

Tom - The Brain Battery