Don’t Borrow Trouble You Don’t Need: A Mindset Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed

There are moments in life when a single sentence can knock the wind out of you—not because it’s cruel, but because it’s unshakably true.

In a recent episode of The Kristi Jones Show, I shared one of those moments. It came from an unlikely source: an oncologist. In the midst of talking about life, illness, and everything in between, they dropped a line that stopped me in my tracks:

“Don’t borrow trouble you don’t need to borrow.”

Whew. It hit like a truth bomb, and if you’re anything like me (or like most women I know), you might be feeling the same jolt. Because the reality is: we do this all the time.

Listen to the full episode here:

The Emotional Weight of “What If”

Let’s get honest. How often do you find yourself worrying about things that haven’t happened?

• A diagnosis you don’t have
• A conversation that hasn’t taken place
• A disaster you’ve already played out 12 times in your mind

We think we’re preparing. We tell ourselves we’re being responsible or “thinking ahead.” But what we’re really doing is borrowing pain from a future that may never come.

That kind of mental load is exhausting. It’s anxiety in disguise. And it’s stealing joy from the moment you’re in right now.

You’re Not Alone—But It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

As women—especially high-achievers, caregivers, perfectionists, and empaths—we’re wired to carry the weight for everyone else. We feel responsible for protecting the people we love, anticipating problems before they arise, and keeping everything running smoothly.

But here’s the truth:
Anticipating pain doesn’t protect you from it—it only robs you of peace.

This doesn’t mean we stop caring. It doesn’t mean we bury our heads in the sand or ignore real problems. But it does mean learning the difference between:

• Compassion vs. emotional baggage
• Preparedness vs. catastrophizing
• Responsibility vs. martyrdom

Letting go of borrowed trouble is not about being careless. It’s about reclaiming your mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.

A Mindset Shift to Lighten the Load

So what does it look like to drop the unnecessary drama and stop spiraling over things that haven’t happened?

It starts with awareness. Ask yourself:

• Is this actually happening, or am I imagining a future problem?
• What would I do differently right now if I weren’t worried about this?
• What can I control in this moment—and what do I need to release?

Then give yourself permission.
Permission to be present.
Permission to breathe.
Permission to not have all the answers today.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your nervous system, your relationships, and your peace of mind is to stop rehearsing pain and start living in the now.

The Reset You Might Not Know You Needed

This episode is short—but it’s potent. It’s a quick tap on the shoulder and a loving reminder that you don’t have to carry what isn’t yours.

So the next time your mind starts spinning with worst-case scenarios, I hope you’ll hear that voice—whether it’s mine or your own—whispering:

“Don’t borrow trouble you don’t need to borrow.”

You can set it down. You’re safe. You’re held. And you’re allowed to feel peace, even when things are uncertain.

---

🎧 Want More?

Catch the full episode of The Kristi Jones Show wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s soulful, grounding, and just the emotional exhale you might be needing today.