"تعلمت منذ وقت طويل أن القلق مثل الكرسي الهزاز. يمنحك شيئًا لتفعله لكنه لا يوصلك إلى أي مكان."

Worrying is a lot like sitting in a rocking chair. You move back and forth, maybe even feel a little comfort, but you never actually get anywhere. This quote is about the futility of worry. It emphasizes that while worrying might keep you occupied, it won’t help you make any progress or solve any problems.

This bit of wisdom likely came from someone who had spent a lot of time in their head, worrying about things they couldn’t control. Maybe they realized that despite all their anxious thoughts, nothing actually changed. It’s a common human experience—at some point, everyone realizes that worrying just wastes time and energy.

Let's consider a real-life example. Think about Sarah, a young professional who just started a new job. She’s constantly worried about whether she’s performing well enough. She spends her evenings replaying the day’s events, wondering if she said something wrong or if her boss is happy with her work. This mental loop keeps her busy, but it doesn’t help her become a better employee or ease her anxiety. Instead, she’s trapped in a cycle of unproductive worry.

Now, how can you apply this wisdom? First, recognize when you’re stuck in the ‘rocking chair’ of worry. Are you obsessing over something that you can’t control? Try to focus on actions you can take instead. If you're worried about a work project, ask for feedback or make a concrete plan to improve. Shift your energy from worrying to doing.

Here’s another way to think about it. Imagine you’re preparing for a big exam. You can spend all night worrying about whether you’ll pass. Or, you can use that time to study, get a good night’s sleep, and do your best come exam day. The first option keeps you in the rocking chair. The second option gets you moving forward.

Let me share a personal story. A few years back, I was preparing for a marathon. I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish. Every night, I’d lie in bed, heart racing, imagining all the ways I could fail. One day, a friend noticed my anxiety and gave me this piece of advice about worrying and rocking chairs. It was a wake-up call. I realized my worry wasn’t helping me run faster or get stronger. So, I changed my approach. Instead of lying awake worrying, I used that time to plan my training, eat better, and rest well. On race day, I didn’t just finish—I ran my best time ever.

In the end, the key is action, not anxiety. Next time you find yourself worrying, ask whether you’re just rocking back and forth or if you can actually do something about it. If there’s an action you can take, go for it. If not, it might be time to step out of the rocking chair and move on to something more productive.

So, next time you're caught up in worry, remember—it's just a rocking chair. Get up, take a step forward, and do something that will actually make a difference. Your future self will thank you for it.