“Just N.A.I.L. It”: The Secret Strength of Worry & How to N.A.I.L. It Every Day

“Just N.A.I.L. It”: The Secret Strength of Worry & How to N.A.I.L. It Every Day

This morning, as I laced up my trainers gearing up for my morning exercise, my mind did what it always does: ran through a mental checklist of all the things I have to do, all the things I haven’t finished, and all the things I’m scared might never work out. But, before any of that could spiral, another thought cut through: gratitude. I am grateful for simply making it to their other side midnight. I am grateful because I’m still me, still here, able to move, think, share, laugh, worry and cry. I am me and that is the biggest gift of all.

But let’s be honest, gratitude isn’t always the first thing screaming for our attention. Sometimes, or most times, it’s worry, subtle anxiety, concern, uneasiness. Whatever synonym we implore, they all point in the same direction.

We worry about many things in life, I do. Who doesn’t? Beneath the carefully curated pictures and profile we have on LinkedIn and our social media platforms, we all worry.  I worry for people I care about. I worry I’m not doing enough. I worry about the patients I see, the outcomes I can’t always control. I worry in all the ways a parent, a sibling, a friend, a physician worries.

Sometimes, it’s the weight of other people’s struggles, not just our own that can be just as burdensome.

Recently, I found myself talking to a friend who felt completely stuck in their career, watching colleagues and other people move forward in their lives while they felt like they were running in place. I know that feeling all too well and maybe you do, too. You know, the sense that everyone else is making progress, while you’re just treading water, and every step forward seems to come with two steps back.

But what if we view worry differently? Lately, I’ve started to wonder if the ability to worry is its own kind of gift. Yes, as a physician and a certified coach I am aware how a “worry state” is detrimental to health. The key words here are “worry state” which implies a rampant, uncontrolled phenomenon. Hypertension is detrimental to our physical health and so is diabetes, but that’s usually when they are not managed or controlled adequately. Many people live healthy and well-adjusted lives despite having these medical issues. Therefore, as a physician, I’m going to apply to same contextual lens to “worry” or “worry state”.

What do I mean by this? Let’s analyse that. Let’s state with the basics, let’s perform the anatomy of worry.

The Anatomy Of Worry

1. What is worry? - Dictionary definition of worry is “a cause of uneasiness, restlessness and anxiety”. This means worry is telling something so, the next step is;

1. What is it telling you? - Worry is often a warning sign and it’s often telling you to pay attention to the subject that’s making you worry. Then the next step in the dissection os:

1. Why is it a worry? More importantly, why is it a worry for you? And tis often leads to the next step?

1. What is at stake? Worry indicated if something doesn’t go as planned or expected, it could have dire circumstances or outcome? What are those circumstances?

1. Then lastly, the last step is: Can you do anything about it?

Think about it for a second. Worry means you care. Worry means your mind is alive, that it’s working, making connections and alerting you to what matters most. Even when it’s uncomfortable, it’s a sign you’re engaged and invested.

We curate our profiles, tidy up our stories for social media, pretending everything is fine and honky dory, but the truth is, nobody is exempt from worry. It’s a plight that plagues us all! We all worry. We worry about our families, our careers, our next steps. The feeling of unease is universal and maybe we have been approaching this wrongly.

Maybe it’s not about getting rid of worry but learning how to handle it so it doesn’t handle us. Maybe it’s about learning how to N.A.I.L. the worry.

Here’s how I’ve started to handle worry or worrisome situations. I’ve learnt to N.A.I.L it. I stickers everywhere reminding me to “Just N.A.I.L. It”.

So, let’s N.A.I.L the Worry

1. N – Name the worry.
   Call it out. What exactly is bothering you? Sometimes, just saying it out loud or writing it down makes it less intimidating.
2.  A – Ask why it matters.
   Why does this worry hit home? If you’re worried, it means you care deeply about something or someone. That’s not weakness—it’s connection.
3.  I – Identify what you can control.
   Can you actually do something about it? If yes, make a move—even a small one. Action beats anxiety every time.
4. L  – Let go or lean in.
   If it’s out of your hands, try to let it go. If it needs your attention, lean in with intention, not panic. Sometimes, offering support or just being present is enough.

Worry changes shape as we move through life. When I was younger, my worry was about school grades, career and life partner choices, parental approval etc. Now it’s family, work, health and the future. The stakes tend to get higher as we move through life, but the process of managing the worry is the same: Name it, Ask why it matters, Identify what you can control, Let go or lean in.

 I’m not saying this is nor will it be easy. It’s probably neither. I am saying, however,  that every day I wake up with the ability to worry, I’m reminded that I’m still in the game, that I’m still here, still caring, still capable of showing up for the people who matter, and as long as I am still capable of worrying, I will continue to strive to continuously N.A.I.L. the worry.

So today, as you scroll through your own lists—tasks, troubles, hopes—remember: your worry is a sign you’re alive and invested. Don’t let it run wild, but don’t wish it away entirely. Instead, see if you can N.A.I.L. it and turn it into a plan, or at least a moment of connection.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. If you’re worrying, you’re not broken. You’re human. And that, in itself, is something to be grateful for.

Shall We Put This Into Practice?

• What’s one thing you’re worried about today?
• What’s one small step you can take, or one person you can reach out to?

Let’s N.A.I.L. our worries together, one day at a time.