We often rack our brains with questions, doubts and fears. In fact, we start from a tiny little thing and make a mountain out of a molehill of problems. So how do we refocus when this happens? Here are 10 questions that instantly clear the mind.

1 – To refocus: in 5 years’ time, will it still matter?

Too often, we worry about the smallest things. We make a mountain out of a molehill of problems and, in our heads, it all spins around and we get anxious.

That’s why, at times like these, we need to refocus by asking ourselves: will this problem, this doubt, this fear still be important or have an impact 5 years from now?

If not, then it’s not worth wasting more than 5 minutes on it.

In fact, it’s all about letting go and realizing that this little problem is only as important as we make it.

Indeed, let’s remember that a big problem is a small problem that we look at too closely.

2 – Is there anything I can do now to change things?

We often agonize and torture ourselves, because all we do is think about it. In fact, we don’t act.

But action is liberating. In fact, it’s by taking action that we free our minds.

That’s why, when you’re anxious about a problem, doubt or fear, take a few moments to ask yourself:

Is there anything I can do now to change things?

If the answer is yes, then act.

If the answer is no, then there’s no point in worrying.

Indeed, to refocus is to understand that if we can’t do anything in the moment, then there’s no point in worrying.

In fact, life is about understanding and accepting that we can’t control everything. And that leaving our minds prey to worries and doubts doesn’t change anything. On the contrary, it needlessly exhausts us.

3 – To refocus: is this what’s most important in my life?

One of the most difficult things in life is not to give importance to things that have none.

In fact, on a day-to-day basis, we give too much importance to unimportant things. Yes, we stress ourselves out over small, unimportant things.

So, to refocus, to free our minds from stress and worry, it’s essential to regularly ask ourselves this question:

Is what I’m worrying about the most important thing in my life?

If so, then it’s time to act.

If no, then it’s time to let go.

Yes, breathe and let go of your worries, free your mind from all that noise, all that unnecessary stress.

In fact, don’t let your mind make you believe that this thing is important, it’s not.

4 – Am I making my happiness and mood depend on something I really control?

We don’t always realize it, but we make our happiness and mood depend on things outside ourselves: another person, an object, a situation, a dream.

And, unfortunately, we forget that we don’t control everything in our lives, and certainly not other people.

Because that’s how life is: everything changes.

So when your mind is prey to worry, doubt or fear, ask yourself if you’re not making your happiness depend on things you don’t really control, and which are bound to change, fluctuate, like everything else in life.

In fact, refocusing means taking back control of our happiness and mood. They depend solely on us.

5 – To refocus: what if today was my last day before I die, would it really matter?

Sometimes, we just can’t let go of an emotion, a feeling of anxiety or stress. No matter how hard we try, our thoughts come back again and again.

So, to refocus, we can ask ourselves this question:

What if I were to die tomorrow, and today was only my last day to live, would it still matter?

In fact, our minds take everything so seriously that we waste so much time and energy dwelling on problems, stress and pain that don’t really matter.

So remember, things are never as serious as your mind would have you believe.

In fact, life is much simpler and more beautiful than you think.

6 – Does my self-worth really depend on it?

We often take things too personally. A word, a behavior, an unpleasant surprise in life.

We say to ourselves: why is this happening to me? And we replay our misfortune in our minds.

That’s why it’s time to refocus. Because we can’t go on living like this, taking everything for granted. It’s far too exhausting.

So how do you refocus, how do you free your mind?

I invite you to ask yourself:

Does my self-worth really depend on this word, this behavior from others, or this unpleasant surprise that just fell into my lap?

In fact, the point here is to remember that our self-worth depends solely on ourselves.

In fact, the love and approval you seek from everyone around you is already within you. You are your own well of love. So draw everything you need from within yourself.

When you know how to love yourself, you’ll see how sweet life is, because you’ll stop taking everything personally and being afraid of not being loved enough.

7 – To refocus: have I done my best?

It’s not uncommon to repeat to ourselves: I should have done more!

So we torture ourselves by thinking we’re not good enough.

To refocus and finally free our minds of all this guilt and worry about what’s going to happen next, it’s time to ask ourselves this question:

Have I done my best?

No more, no less.

Life isn’t about being perfect or trying too hard. It’s about doing your best.

Don’t think of yourself as a superman, you’re just a human being, and that’s wonderful enough.

That’s why you should do your best, because no one should ask more of you. Not even you. So breathe and clear your mind of all the clutter.

8 – If this happened to the person I love most in the world, what would I say? What would I advise them to do?

We’re so hard on ourselves. Yes, we talk down to each other all day long and torture our hearts and minds.

To refocus and breathe easier, we need to ask ourselves this question:

If what happened to me happened to the person I love most in the world, what would I say to them?

And if what I felt, what I thought, the person I love most in the world felt and thought the same thing, what would I advise them to do?

Go and find the kindness in yourself that you willingly offer to the people you love, but that you deprive yourself of.

You have the right to be kind to yourself, in fact you have a duty to do so.

After all, do you think you’re here on Earth to talk badly to yourself and make yourself suffer?

9 – And if my priority today was to be happy, would it really matter?

We don’t always realize it, but we forget to be happy.

Indeed, we forget it when we torture our minds over unimportant things, when we let stress devour us over little things that we look at too closely.

So, to refocus and free your mind, it’s urgent to ask yourself this question:

What if my priority today was to be happy, would what I’m torturing my mind about keep the importance I give it?

Remember, your life doesn’t have to be perfect for you to feel happy. So stop jumping up and down with worry and stress as soon as things don’t go as planned.

Yes, remember that your concern right now is simply to be happy.

10 – And if I had nothing to prove, just to live, would it still matter?

In our society, life and happiness are taken seriously. In fact, we’re led to believe that to have a happy, successful life, you have to tick a few boxes: a good job, a rich family life, extraordinary passions, a slim body…

So we set out to conquer these famous checkboxes, and day after day, we torture ourselves because we just can’t do it.

To refocus, it’s time to ask yourself this question:

What if I had nothing to prove, just to live and be happy? Would it still matter what I’m worrying about?

Remember, you can be happy even when things don’t go your way.

In fact, learn to replace your frustrations with gratitude. You already have so much, so stop living in fear of not having enough and not being enough.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How can I stop thinking? 3 techniques to calm your mind
Discover Stop overthinking, do something: 3 ways to take action

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil A. Fiore

The author tackles the subject of overthinking by proposing a strategic program for overcoming procrastination and cultivating a more present-centered state of mind. Fiore’s approach combines psychological insights with practical strategies to help individuals break the cycle of overthinking and perfectionism. With a focus on guilt-free play and a proactive approach to tasks, the book guides us to change our mindset and embrace the present moment. It offers practical ways to effectively manage time, reduce stress and foster a more balanced, mindful approach to work and life.

If you want to cultivate a good habit or are struggling to break a bad one, this is the book for you.
I think everyone should read this book, but especially those who suffer from ADHD or chronic procrastination.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself