When ‘What If’ Won’t Quit We’ve all been there: lying awake at night, replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, or obsessing over things we can’t change. Overthinking might feel harmless, but when those thoughts keep circling, they can take a toll on your mood, energy, and overall well-being. Hit Pause When Your Brain Won’t Stop Talking
out through your nose. It’s simple, but it signals your body to relax and can help calm racing thoughts in just a few minutes. CHALLENGE YOUR THOUGHTS. Automatic negative thoughts (those instant, gloomy reactions) can trap you in “what ifs” and
So, how do you break the cycle? It starts with noticing what’s happening in your mind. Next time your thoughts go into overdrive, pause and ask yourself: What emotion is fueling this? Maybe it’s worry, guilt, or frustration. Recognizing the source is the first step toward loosening its grip. TURN DOWN THE MENTAL VOLUME. When your brain feels stuck on repeat, try redirecting your energy. Dive into a hobby, work out, learn a new recipe, or volunteer for a cause that matters to you. Shifting focus gives your mind a break and can help you feel more grounded. Breathing exercises also work wonders. Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly, and take slow, steady breaths in and
worst-case scenarios. Write them down, seek a more balanced perspective, and see if you can do anything about them. Taking small, thoughtful actions toward solutions can help quiet the mental noise. And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Talking to a trusted friend or a therapist can give you a fresh outlook on managing those runaway thoughts.
E d ge F a c t s T h a
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.” The above quote from author George Addair represents a mindset we encounter regularly at our firm. In addition to the potential emotional toll of discussing estate planning with their family members, many clients can feel confused or overwhelmed by the legal
and financial matters they need to address. So, they either avoid the process until it’s too late or are reluctant to proceed out of fear of making a critical mistake. In some cases, people enter into estate planning believing common misconceptions that can impact their decision-making. One common estate planning myth is that the state takes your assets if you don’t have a will. However, this is not necessarily the case. Suppose you pass away without an estate plan in place (legally known as dying “intestate”). In that case, the state of Florida will divide your assets between your children (equally in cases where you have children both with your current spouse and from a previous relationship) and your surviving spouse. If you have no children, the assets will go to your surviving spouse. If you were unmarried when you passed away, your
assets would be divided equally among your children or, if any of your children have passed away, to their descendants. If you had no descendants, your assets would be distributed to your surviving parent(s) or your siblings or their descendants. Additionally, the assets may be subject to greater federal tax burdens than if you had an estate plan in place at the time of your passing. If you would prefer to have control over who does or doesn’t receive your assets and shield your heirs from high taxes, establishing an estate plan that includes a will or irrevocable trust that clearly states the distribution of your assets is the most prudent path to follow. If you or a loved one has yet to establish a will, or if you need to make critical updates to an existing estate plan, please make contacting us a New Year’s resolution you’ll keep.
2 floridaestateplanning.com
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