Hakuna Matata Means No Worries—But How Do You Actually Do That?
This post is inspired by my amazing Assitant for getting me this shirt for my birthday. Thank you Wangare, you are THE!
If you grew up in the 90s like me, you are most likely familiar with the phrase Hakuna Matata -“it means no worries for the rest of your days.” But let’s be real: the rest of our days? That sounds nice, but in the middle of work stress, family dynamics, or sleepless nights, it can feel more like a Disney fantasy than a daily reality.
So how do we actually live with fewer worries? How do we put the spirit of Hakuna Matata into practice in a world that feels anything but carefree?
Here are six practical strategies that can help you shift from overwhelmed to open-hearted—no singing warthogs required.
1. Stay Present
Worry is the mind’s way of time-traveling. It drags us into the past (“What if I messed that up?”) or launches us into the future (“What if this all goes wrong?”). The antidote? Presence. Not thinking “What if” or “What was” rather, thinking… “What is…” Use mindfulness to return to the here and now. Take three deep breaths. Feel our feet on the ground. Tune in to our senses. The more time we spend in the present, the less power worry has over us.
2. Challenge the Thought Loop
Next time you find yourself spiraling, pause and ask:
“Is this something I can control?”
If the answer is yes, make a plan and take one small step forward.
If the answer is no, practice letting it go or asking the second question.. “Is this something I WANT to control?” Worrying about things outside our control is mental quicksand. It keeps us stuck and pulls us deeper. Don’t give our energy away to what we can’t change.
3. Simplify Your Life
We underestimate how much clutter - physical, emotional, digital - fuels our anxiety. Start small. Clean a drawer. Unfollow accounts that drain you. Set boundaries with people who bring chaos instead of calm. The simplified life leaves less room for stress and more space for peace. And if you came over last week, my kids would have told you we got rid of all their toys and books, so it is not always easy (We did not get rid of all their books or toys by the way, ha).
4. Set Worry Boundaries
Instead of trying to eliminate worry altogether (which rarely works), contain it. Give yourself a 15-minute “worry window” each day. During that time, let your mind rant and ramble. Then, when time’s up, close the door. This practice has helped my brain learn that worry doesn’t get free reign over my day.
5. Strengthen Self-Trust
A lot of worry comes from self-doubt. We fear what might happen because we’re unsure we can handle it. Flip that script.
Reflect on moments you’ve made it through hard things. Keep a confidence journal. Speak to yourself with encouragement, not criticism.
When we trust ourself, we don't need to control everything - we simply need to believe we will rise to the moment.
6. Connect with Joy
Worry withers in the presence of joy. Find one small thing each day that makes you smile: a favorite song, a good stretch, a silly meme, a deep breath in the sun (maybe even a keynote on YouTube from one of your favorite speaker, lol). Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Let joy exist in spite of the mess. The more we feed joy, the less oxygen worry gets.
In the End…
Hakuna Matata isn’t about avoiding life’s problems. It’s about approaching them with THE mindset that says:
“I’ve got this. I can handle what’s next. And I refuse to let worry rob me of what’s good right now.”
It’s our daily choice. The practice. The way of being. So no, we don’t need to sing our way through life (although I did sing that line from the movie about 12 times doing this article, lol) but if you find yourself humming along while living with less stress and more presence, we might be doing things right. Keep being THE!