Anxiety is a common part of our daily lives. It’s natural to feel anxious about something that hasn’t happened yet—anticipating future events can be unsettling. But instead of delving into the biological or clinical aspects of anxiety, let’s explore it from a philosophical angle. This perspective might just help us improve our well-being at a social level.

When we plan something, we can only try our best—there’s no guarantee it will succeed. The same applies when someone else makes a commitment; their effort is promising, but the outcome remains uncertain. Our sense of security and well-being often depends on how much we trust the person responsible. If they seem reliable, we feel hopeful. If not, anxiety takes over.

Now, here’s the catch: the future itself has no ‘doer.’ It’s unseen, unpredictable, and beyond anyone’s control. If we’re honest, any future possibility is essentially a 50/50 chance. Yet, when we’re anxious about something going wrong, we often inflate that possibility to near certainty—approaching 100%—without any rational basis.

This tendency stems from focusing on the negative. When we view the glass as half empty, everything appears darker and more anxiety-provoking. But expecting ourselves to instantly think positively when faced with a real problem is unrealistic.

Instead, we must cultivate a habit of balanced thinking even when things are going well or when the challenges are small. This involves:

1. Letting go of the illusion of certainty: Accepting that the future is unpredictable helps reduce undue stress.
2. Avoiding catastrophic forecasting: When the outcome is unclear, acknowledge the 50/50 reality instead of assuming the worst.
3. Practicing rational optimism: Training our minds to consider positive possibilities just as much as negative ones.

By practicing these simple but rational habits, our tendency to feel anxious in daily life can diminish significantly.