The other day I found myself getting stressed — and not about anything major. I was simply trying to choose which type of wood chips to use in the garden. Mulch. I was stressing about mulch.
And that’s when it hit me: We all do this.
Our minds are designed to solve problems — big ones, small ones, imaginary ones, and everything in between. The brain is a problem-solving machine, and when something feels uncertain or unfamiliar, even if it’s harmless, it can trigger stress.
This is useful when we’re facing something truly threatening or high-stakes. But choosing a vacation spot or comparing products online isn’t exactly life-or-death. And yet our brain reacts the same way.
So the next time you feel yourself getting worked up about something small, try this:
Pause and ask yourself: Is this really worth my stress energy?
If the worst thing you have to worry about today is which restaurant to pick, what show to watch, or which mulch to buy — that’s actually a very lucky place to be.
Most stress isn’t about the situation itself — it’s the habit of stress. It runs quietly in the background. That low-level tension steals your positive experiences. You can’t feel grateful and anxious at the same time. You can’t feel stressed and joyful at the same time.
So the goal isn’t to eliminate stress — it’s to notice it sooner and choose where your energy goes.
Check your stress levels regularly. Ask yourself:
Is this stress useful?
Is it necessary?
Is it helping me, or just draining me?
If it’s not worth it, let it go. When you put your attention toward what’s good — even in small moments — your life gets lighter, easier, happier.