11/11/2025
Part 1: Are Your Worries Hypothetical or Practical?
One helpful step in managing anxiety is learning to distinguish between the types of worries we have. Not all worries can be managed in the same way and knowing the difference really helps.
🔹 Practical worries are about real problems happening right now or in the near future — things you can do something about.
Example: “I have a job interview tomorrow and I’m nervous.”
👉 You can prepare, practice answers, or plan your outfit — there’s action you can take.
🔹 Hypothetical worries are “what if” thoughts about things that might happen — but haven’t.
Example: “What if I never find a job I enjoy?”
👉 These worries often spiral, feeding anxiety because there’s nothing to solve yet.
✨ Why this distinction matters:
When you know which kind of worry you’re having, you can respond more effectively.
If it’s practical, take small, concrete steps.
If it’s hypothetical, notice it, label it, and practice letting it go — it’s a thought, not a fact (Easier said than done of course!)
Recognising this difference helps reduce the overwhelm and gives you back a sense of control.
In Part 2 I will go into more detail about steps to help these worries.
Tas x
www.in-sighttherapies.co.uk
