Wilko's Weekly Email Newsletter - Don't Worry, Be Happy...

Life gives us more than enough reasons to worry.

Bills pile up, work gets stressful, relationships hit bumps,.

And the bad news never seems to switch off.

But while worry is a natural reaction, it’s not a productive one.

In fact, most of the things we worry about never happen.

What does happen, though, is that worry steals our peace, and our ability to enjoy the present moment.

“Don’t worry, be happy” is more than a catchy line from a song.

It’s a reminder that happiness is a choice we can make, even when things aren’t perfect.

Why Worry Never Helps

Worry tricks us into believing we’re solving something.

But in reality, it keeps our minds spinning without taking us anywhere.

It drains us emotionally and physically, and it very seldom leads to action.

What we think of as “being prepared” is often rehearsing problems we haven’t faced yet.

Happiness gives us clarity.

When we choose calm over panic, we can think better and handle challenges with a clearer head.

Choosing Happiness Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Problems

Not worrying doesn’t mean sticking your head in the sand.

It means dealing with what you can control, and letting go of what you can’t.

It’s about refusing to let fear run your life.

Chose to focus on what’s good, helpful, and meaningful.

You will also notice more opportunities and solutions.

That worry would have hidden them from you.

Simple Ways to Worry Less and Live Happier

Stay in the present moment.
Most worry lives in the future. Bring yourself back to now, where life is actually happening.
Practice gratitude.
When you focus on what’s going right, the things going wrong feel a little smaller.
Talk things out.
Sharing a concern with someone you trust can release half its weight.
Do one small thing.
Action shrinks anxiety. Even the smallest step forward makes you feel more in control.
Protect your mental space.
Limit negativity. Whether it’s from people, news, or social media. You have the right to peace.

Happiness Is a Habit, Not a Destination

You don’t need a perfect life to be happy.

You just need to cultivate small habits that bring calm, connection, and joy into your day.

Over time, these moments add up, and you start seeing life through a brighter lens.

So breathe deeply. Loosen your shoulders. Remind yourself that you’ve already survived your hardest days.

And choose, even for a moment, to be happy.

Because happiness isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we make.

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Rob Hersov sits down with Prince Mashele, the outspoken public intellectual who predicts South Africa’s future better than anyone else for a candid, hour-long conversation that cuts straight through the noise.

https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/11/prince-mashele-rob-hersov-anc-plundered.html

Rob Hersov sits down with Ernst Roets for a no-holds-barred conversation about where South Africa is really headed in 2025 and beyond.

https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/11/rob-hersov-ernst-roets-how-one-person.html

South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister, Ashor Sarupen, sits down with Gabriel Makin on The Common Sense Podcast.

https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/11/deputy-finance-minister-ashor-sarupen.html

Frans Cronjé on the GNU, the Budget, and the Battle for Growth!

https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/11/south-africa-at-turning-point-frans.html

The Brutal Truth About SA Politics Nobody Wants to Admit with Jan Moganwa

https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/11/the-brutal-truth-about-sa-politics.html

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With very best wishes,

Chris Wilkinson.