Is your time valuable? Stop wasting time on negative thoughts!
If you were carrying $86,400 and $10 blew away, would you set down the $86,390 you have left to chase after it?
Or would you just let it go? 
I recently received a text forward with this question. When I read it, I didn’t even think about the answer. My mind immediately jumped to the conclusion, I’d let it go and hope that it fell into the hands of someone who needed it.
The message went on to say that we each have 86,400 seconds in a day. Our time is more valuable than money because we can’t get it back. Once we spend it, it is gone forever. So, every time we get upset, we lose 10 seconds. But many of us then throw away the 86, 390 seconds we have left by worrying about it or getting caught up in our negative feelings.
Many of us make this mistake. It’s time to start letting the little things go. Why do we waste our precious time on negative thoughts?
Maybe that is easier said than done. Here are some ways you rationalize with yourself to decide if things are worth your time.
The time test
Ask yourself, is this going to matter in one week, one month, or one year? Will I even remember this then? If not, let it go! This method has helped me stop wasting time on negative thoughts about silly disappointments that we all experience regularly.
For example, my partner is an hour late and I’m hungry waiting to eat dinner. But I ask myself, one year from now, is this going to matter? Absolutely not, something probably came up from work and it doesn’t change our feelings for each other so I can let it go!
Maintain Control
Make a list of things that you can control about whatever situation is challenging you if it is ongoing. Focus on what you have power over instead of what someone else said or did. Let go of the aspects that you cannot control.
Take Responsibility
Examine the situation and take responsibility for any part you played in creating it. At first, you may think you are just a victim but really dig into how the other parties may be feeling and see if there is even a small part you could be responsible for.
Stop hitting replay
Once you have done what needs to be done, stop replaying the negative words, actions, or scenarios in your mind. Press the stop button and walk away from it so you can have some peace.
Channel your energy into something positive.
If you feel your body full of energy stemming from the problem, use it on something constructive! Go to the gym, get up and clean, or complete a project. I love using extra energy to create art!
These are just a few of the ways you can stop wasting time on negative thoughts. What do you like to do when you don’t want to waste your precious time being negative?
Share your ideas below!
If you like this post you may also like some other articles about changing your mindset such as:
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Mindfulness Activities to Try Today