Okay, let's be real here – that dread of what lies ahead can totally mess with our mojo. But guess what? You don't have to let it ruin your groove. Just chill in the present, and things will work out.

So, check it, most of our human jitters come from not knowing what's up next. And weirdly enough, knowing what's gonna happen doesn't always soothe our nerves. Sometimes, when things are looking hella bright, we freak out and veer off course. We know success is coming, but we're clueless about how it'll shake up our lives. Success can be a wild ride, throwing us into unpredictable situations that test our limits. The mere idea of getting what we've always wanted can totally rattle us. Fear of the future often hangs out with the fear of change – the kind of change that makes you feel like you're not ready for the big leagues. It's normal to jump ahead and picture success as this heavy thing that'll squash us flat. But here's the deal, all the changes the future brings? They're gonna happen bit by bit.

Now, when we daydream about the future, we're all about the endgame, right? We forget it's a journey with a bunch of steps. Here's the scoop: your soul's itching to fulfill its purpose – a purpose you signed up for before you even showed up in this world. That means, you and the universe won't throw anything your way that you can't handle. Fear of the future can lock you down, keeping you from living in the now and chasing your dreams with a clear head. To beat this beast, you gotta stay woke. When you catch those wacky thoughts making you sweat, replace 'em with some logic and self-love. If you're scared you won't feel satisfied when you hit a goal, remember that no single achievement is the end-all, be-all. And if you're shaking in your boots about getting noticed or feeling unworthy, realize you're already worthy of some major props.

So, when future fear comes knocking while you're grinding, use your bravery. Pretend your fear is just a bluff and hit it with some cold, hard facts. Ignore past screw-ups and focus on the present. Tell that nagging voice in your head to zip it. Believe that your success isn't about luck or some cosmic mix-up; it's about your killer skills, drive, imagination, and inner strength. Every time you kick future fear to the curb, you weaken its grip. Eventually, you'll have a clear path to gaze into the future with pure optimism.

Health & Wellness

988 Mental Health Hotline Adds Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Callers

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline got an accessability boost just ahead of National Suicide Prevention Week, which runs through September 16. On Friday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced new services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Callers who use American Sign Language can click the “ASL Now” button on the 988 Lifeline website, or call 1-800-273-8255 using a video phone (direct dialing to 988 from a video phone will be available in the coming weeks, SAMHSA said in a press release). Users will then be routed to ASL-trained counselors at one of two crisis centers — DeafLEAD and Vibrant Emotional Health.

Inspiring Stories

Rallying together
Players and staff from Morocco’s national football team came together to donate blood in the wake of last week’s deadly earthquake. Learn how you can help.

“There’s something special about our friendship”
Meet Lew Wilcox and Bobby Rohrbach Jr. — friends since 1962 — and discover why friendships like theirs are both rare and essential.

Post of the Day

Pioneering director Ava DuVernay has earned another accolade, becoming the first African American woman to have a film compete at the Venice Film Festival. In an Instagram post reflecting on the achievement, DuVernay thanked the Black women who came before her: French filmmakers Alice Diop and Euzhan Palcy, who had movies in the competition in 2022 and 1983, respectively. “Onward for us — and all the sisters to come,” she wrote. “At this festival — and anywhere we want to be.” Watch the teaser for DuVernay’s upcoming feature, Origin. (Photo Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images)