Let’s have a chat about stress — the kind that leaves you feeling frazzled, like your brain’s running in circles with no exit in sight. Specifically, the stress over things you’ve got NO CONTROL over. It’s like trying to stop the sun from setting — you can stomp, shout, or shake your fist, but the sun will do its thing regardless. So why waste your energy?
Let’s face it, life’s full of curveballs — and not the cute ones like your bestie turning up with your favourite bottle of red. I’m talking about the “Why is this happening to me?” variety, like delayed trains, broken umbrellas, or the supermarket running out of Cadbury’s Cream Eggs. But here’s the golden truth: if you CAN’T CONTROL IT, then worrying about it is like shaking your fist at the moon — it’s simply NOT WORTH YOUR ENERGY, my dear friend!
The Art of Letting Things Be
Adopting a "not bothered" attitude or Letting Things Be isn’t about being lazy — it’s about conserving your energy for things that truly matter. Channel your inner ability to stay calm under pressure, the kind that sees us quietly queuing even when the person ahead is scanning 57 items at self-checkout. Now, if they’re scanning slowly and chatting on the phone, well, we’re only human. But for everything else, take a deep breath and repeat after me: Not. My. Circus.
Take traffic jams, for instance. Are you the Prime Minister of Motorways or Highways? No? Didn’t think so. Instead of fuming, embrace the opportunity to belt out your favourite song in the car. Bonus points if you choose something uplifting — after all, a bit of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” works wonders on the soul. And if you’re on a bus or a train, go ahead and daydream about a vacation some place sunny with golden sandy beaches or imagine what you'd say if you bumped into The Spice Girls at the grocery store. Far better than fuming silently, right?
Learning to Spot What’s Beyond You
Not everything comes with a blinking sign that says, "OUT OF YOUR CONTROL" but a simple rule to follow is: if you can’t directly influence it, it’s probably not worth stressing over.
Whether it’s the weather, other people’s opinions, the home renovations that were supposed to be completed 3 months ago and whether Tom Cruise will ever grow a few inches taller… The more you practise, the better you get at steering clear of unnecessary stress.
This doesn’t mean you ignore your responsibilities or pretend challenges don’t exist. It means focusing your energy on actions you can take. Don’t give free REAL ESTATE in your MIND to things you can’t CHANGE!
Instead, shift your focus to things you can control, like how much time you spend with your “Art family” or “Networking Groups” or finding new ways to make people smile with your delightful knack for personalised messages.
The Joy of Letting Go
Here’s the magic of letting go: it opens up mental space for the good stuff — gratitude, connection, laughter. Think about it like decluttering a room. When you remove what’s unnecessary, you make space for what’s meaningful. Letting go of stress is just the same; 
it lightens your emotional load.
The next time life tosses you an annoyance, take a deep breath and ask, "Does this really matter in the grand scheme of things?" Most of the time, you’ll find the answer is no.
Using Humour to Stay Balanced
A little humour can go a long way in managing life’s quirks. Got caught in the rain without an umbrella? Call it an impromptu spa treatment. Did your phone battery die just before you took a perfect photo? Imagine the story you’ll tell instead. Humour doesn’t erase challenges, but it makes them a bit easier to carry.
Life has its moments — some like stepping into sunshine, others like walking into a puddle. Embracing the unpredictable with a smile (even a wry one) is often the best response.
To Wrap This Up
Life will always have its share of surprises, delays, and things that go slightly off-script. But here’s the beauty: you’re in charge of your perspective. Choose to FOCUS on what you CAN CONTROL, and LET GO of the rest. Save your energy for what truly deserves your attention — time with loved ones, joyful hobbies, and creating moments of laughter.
So, the next time stress comes knocking, take a deep breath, let go, and remind yourself: life’s too short for the things you CAN’T CONTROL or CHANGE!
Instead, pour your ENERGY into what makes your days BRIGHTER, your SMILES bigger, and your heart LIGHTER.
