Worrying vs Introspection

Worrying is more about "you don't have time. You don't have resources. You don't know things. This is it"

Introspection is more about "okay this is how the situation is going to be. This is what my limitations are. This is what has happened in the past. This is the possibility of how I will feel like."

While worrying provides us with questions to think about. It doesn't provide a way to tackle them.

Introspection is more about understanding the past, and present and negotiating a way forward. It is not about rejecting the past, it is not even about exaggerating about the future. It is the middle path. Carefully curating a way out.

Take an example of worrying.
"I have to complete this exam but I have to take care of 5 things. How on earth is it even possible? Then if I don't give this exam what will happen to my dreams? I am giving this exam to take care of 10 things. How will I achieve it?"

Worrying brings in the right questions but not the right approach to solving problems.

Now let's see what introspection looks like.

"I have to give an exam but I also have to take care of 5 things.
What are those 5 things? Currently how much time of day it takes? Why is it taking so much time? What do I do to reduce this time?

If that's not possible how much time I can give in the day? Given this much time, how much will I be able to study for the exam? Will I be able to score more if I go with this approach? What have been my observations about my pace of study?

If I cannot go with my current pace of study and cannot give away 5 responsibilities to anyone, what should I cut out from my daily day to be able to do whatever more possible."

The above statements include active questioning and introspection should include active questioning. Along with it, it should also include active listening. What does active listening means - it means you should have an open mind to see where your thoughts are leading and not interrupt them or react to them. While the questions are coming, we let them come and note them down but don't choose to answer immediately, instead give space to express more concerns. Once we have done this exercise for let's say 20 minutes, we should pause to worry and start to think about what we are worried about.

Take each question as you wish and answer as much as you know. Move on to the next.
By the end of this exercise, you will have a realistic picture of where you stand.

Now knowing what is possible and not possible, take the leap and accept what's not feasible to move ahead.

Have your own solution that is curated according to your situation and that which is doable for you.

Take some time out and do introspection on how things are going.
Repeat this from time to time and improvise depending on how things keep affecting you.