Gigi Langer

Worry Less Now!

 Love More Now!

10 Ways to Be Positive, Like Snoopy!

Happiness Worry Less Now

Want to Be Positive, Like Snoopy and Charlie Brown???

Get over your negative habits so you can be a happy, positive force in your family, work, and world.  Here are some simple ways:

  1. Change “I can’t . . .” to → “Up until now I couldn’t . . .”
  2. Change “I always . . .“ to → “In the past I used to . . .”
  3. Don’t read email first thing in the morning. Instead, meditate, read inspiring words, journal, or pray. (One of my favorites is below.)
  4. Avoid criticism and gossip. Instead look for what’s strong, positive & good about a person or situation.
  5. Resist saying or thinking: “You should.” and “He should (or ought)”. Instead admit that you may not know best & even if you did, it’s not your job to change others.
  6. Avoid excessive drinking or drugging that’s harming your relationships, health, or safety. Instead, get into a recovery program or therapy.
  7. Be a considerate listener. When listening to another, don’t think of what you’ll say next & then respond with your own story or advice. Instead, listen with all of your mind & heart. Try to understand what the person is saying by asking for clarification, e.g., “ You mentioned (…). Tell me more about that. What was that like for you?” Listen & then probe for more detail. Talk less. Listen more.
  8. Offer smiles & random acts of kindness to neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers. You’ll feel great and so will they!
  9. Use the Loving-Kindness Practice often. Buddhists call this practice metta; it calms your mind, opens your heart to goodness and love, and helps you know the positive power within your true self. The practice also asks for the healing of your fears, worries, and negative thinking so you can serve others’ growth.

a. Read the words aloud, pause, and then read them again.

May I be at peace. May my heart remain open.

May I awaken to the light of my own true nature.

May I be healed. May I be a source of healing for all beings.”

b. With one or more of your loved ones in mind, say the prayer again changing I to you: “May you be at peace. May your heart . . .”

c. Next, change you to we: â€śMay we be at peace . . .”

d. Now, think of a person who is causing you worry, frustration, or pain. Use the “May you . . .” version of the prayer for this person.

Whenever you want to change a negative thought to a positive one, repeat the phrases of loving-kindness and notice how you begin to respond differently:  Patient, kind, and positive!

10. For more ideas about becoming more positive, see my award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & e-book vendors) and the blog on this site.

Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer
From me to you!

Gigi Langer, PhD has helped thousands of people improve their lives at home and at work. She’s written several books for educators, and is a sought-after speaker and workshop leader.  Gigi holds a doctorate in Psychology in Education,  and an MA in Psychology, both from Stanford.

Fabulous New Magazine: HOLA SOBER!

I just LOVE this new FREE full-feature e-magazine–Hola Sober–for sober folks. 

And SURPRISE! The December edition includes Karen Laird’s interview with me! I met Karen last spring in my Worry Less Study Group, and she wrote this fabulous article about it. Thank you, Karen! 

Hola Sober is a fresh, colorful magazine focused on alcohol-free in a drink-drenched world, showcasing sober gold moments, offering inspirational stories, and motivating healthy wellness lifestyle choices.  It is a FREE magazine as the editor believes no one should have to pay for sober inspiration in 2021. 

Here’s the link to the December issue: Click HERE  (If it doesn’t work, you may need to subscribe, but it’s FREE!) Please subscribe HERE.

gigi langer worry less now

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

worry less now gigi langer

Gigi’s award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now, describes how to correct the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful growth tools. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)


Putting a Pause on My Weekly Blog

Gigi Langer

As you may know, I’ve been writing a weekly blog for four years now, and I need a break. This is partly because, starting May 17th, I’ll be running a 5-week “Worry Less Now” class on Zoom for a group of 8-9 people. And I’m so pleased to announce it is now filled!

[Thank you so much for your patience with my emails about this course; I really appreciate it!]

To keep my life balanced, I’ve decided to stop writing a weekly blog. Instead, I’ll write a new piece each month and include it in the “Worry Less Now” monthly newsletter. I also plan to offer more 5-week online classes based on my book. I’ll keep you posted!

So, since you’re a blog subscriber, I will take the liberty of sending you the monthly newsletters, and I hope you find them useful.

Thanks for supporting my efforts to find more balance in my life.

Podcasts–More!

I’m so grateful for my entry into Twitter a couple of years ago (when I got temporarily kicked out of Facebook!); it helped me quickly connect with people who share my interest in recovery and A Course in Miracles.

But the biggest surprise is how many wonderful podcasters I’ve met on Twitter; and many of them have invited me to be a guest on their shows. It’s been such a treat to spend an hour or so with these fascinating people!

My latest foray into podcasting was on Merrit Hartblay’s Recovery Road where people from the wellness and self-care communities come together to discuss issues of the day. Merrit did a great job of sharing his own expertise as we talked about overcoming worry and negativity.

Check it out below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-road/id1550792047#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.spreaker.com%2Fepisode%2F44605816

You’ll Be Hearing from Me Monthly from Now on….

I hope you are enjoying life and finding the tools you need to overcome worry and fear, no matter what is going on in your life!

Worry Less Now Cover

My award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now which describes how to reject the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful suggestions. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)

Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

Reactions: A Story & A Song

I’m noticing two major reactions to the “stay-at-home” orders.

Which one is your way of coping?

  1. Get really busy with projects, walking, cleaning, etc. or
  2. Veg-out with TV, reading, music, and other “less active” diversions.

Guess which group I’m in?? The latter. Aside from the essentials (connecting with family and friends, meditating/praying, and light exercising), what’s keeping me “busy?” NOTHING!

After a life-time of achieving this and that, my reaction is to just relax, and indulge in whatever tickles my fancy. And I’m loving it!

For example, I just spent a couple hours on the lanai listening to two of my favorite entertainers: the beloved Brazilian crooner, Caetano Veloso and our Michigan favorite, Vienna Teng. Here’s a story from Brazil and a song of hope from Teng.

Seen in Brazil: A Puzzling Crazy-Quilt

In 1974, I lived in Sao Paulo while my second husband worked with IBM computer systems. 

One day, I accompanied a Brazilian friend to her dentist appointment.  Up, up we went to the 40th story of one of the many famous Niemeyer skyscrapers dotting the Sao Paulo skyline. 

While in the waiting room, I read an article about the survivors of a recent “towering inferno” fire in this very same town. The scandal was that this modern-era skyscraper had no fire-protections and, as a result, many lives were lost.  

Perhaps it was this story that drew me to the window to peer down from the great height.  At first, I couldn’t make sense of what I saw:  a multi-colored quilt of shiny turtle-tops. 

What could it be?  As I studied the image far below me, I realized I was looking at many hundreds of Volkswagen “bugs” parked in a huge dirt parking lot.

At that time, about 80% of Brazilians owned VWs, with only a few color choices. Imagine the difficulty of finding your very own yellow bug (the color of mine) in a huge parking lot!  

The inventive “Paulistas” had solved this urban puzzle by parking all the yellow cars in one section, the blue ones in another, and so on.  The result was this bumpy, shiny quilt seen from the dizzying height above. I wish I had taken a picture!

A Song of Hope from Vienna Teng

“The Atheist Christmas Carol” isn’t only about the holidays and it’s not really “atheist.” It’s about HOPE, the best reaction we can have during uncertain times. Listen to this gorgeous song here, posted with its lyrics!

Savor these lines especially. “Don’t forget, don’t forget, I love, I love, I love you.”

Vienna reportedly said, “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.” Hmmm.

gigi langer worry less now

Gigi Langer, 34 years sober, holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education and an MA in Psychology, both from Stanford University. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Gigi has helped thousands of people improve their lives at home and work. A former professor of teacher education at Eastern Michigan University, she lives in Michigan and Florida with her husband, Peter, and Murphy, their cat.

worry less now audiobook gigi Langer

Get Gigi’s award-winning book, â€ś50 Ways to Worry Less Now.” (4.8 Stars on Amazon). Available in audioe-book, paperback. Click HERE for special offers.

  • “This book is a winner.” â€“Karen Casey, Bestselling Hazelden author
  • “Valuable, heartfelt manual.” Publishers Weekly (BookLife)