100 things i'm powerless over

www.dosvr.foodcycle.org.uk Editorial Teams

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12-09-2025

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100 Things I'm Powerless Over: Embracing Acceptance and Finding Freedom

We all crave control. It's a fundamental human desire. But the truth is, there are countless things beyond our influence, no matter how hard we try. Accepting this reality isn't about giving up; it's about finding freedom. This list of 100 things we're powerless over isn't meant to be depressing, but rather a catalyst for self-acceptance and a more peaceful life. It's about focusing our energy where it truly matters: on what we can control.

The World Around Us:

1. The weather
2. Natural disasters
3. Global events
4. Political decisions
5. Economic downturns
6. Traffic congestion
7. Other people's actions
8. Other people's opinions
9. The past
10. The future
11. Disease outbreaks
12. Accidents
13. Acts of violence
14. The stock market
15. Global warming
16. The aging process
17. Death
18. The actions of corporations
19. Technological advancements (pace and direction)
20. The laws of physics

Other People:

21. Other people's choices
22. Other people's beliefs
23. Other people's feelings
24. Other people's reactions to us
25. Other people's success
26. Other people's failures
27. Other people's relationships
28. Whether people like us
29. Whether people forgive us
30. Whether people understand us
31. Other people's addictions
32. Other people's mental health
33. The choices of family members
34. The choices of friends
35. The choices of strangers
36. Other people's parenting styles
37. Other people's life paths

Ourselves (Things Beyond Our Immediate Control):

38. Our genetics
39. Our height
40. Our eye color
41. Our natural talents
42. Our inherent personality traits
43. Our past traumas
44. Our initial reactions (fight or flight)
45. Our involuntary bodily functions
46. Our aging process
47. Our predispositions to certain illnesses
48. The speed of our healing
49. Our dreams
50. Our subconscious thoughts
51. Our gut feelings (although we can analyze them)
52. The exact timing of our life events
53. The length of our lifespan

Situations and Circumstances:

54. Traffic jams
55. Flight delays
56. Power outages
57. Technological failures
58. Broken appliances
59. Unexpected expenses
60. Job losses (often beyond individual control)
61. Natural resource depletion
62. Social inequalities
63. Systemic racism
64. Sexism
65. Ageism
66. Homophobia
67. Wars
68. Famine
69. Poverty (on a global scale)
70. Environmental pollution

Other People's Opinions & Judgments:

71. Whether people respect us
72. Whether people believe us
73. Whether people trust us
74. Public perception
75. Online comments and reviews
76. Gossip
77. Rumors
78. Negative feedback
79. Criticism (especially unwarranted)
80. Unfair judgments

The Unpredictable:

81. The weather tomorrow
82. The lottery results
83. The outcome of a game
84. Winning a competition
85. Unexpected accidents
86. Getting a flat tire
87. Falling ill suddenly
88. Receiving bad news
89. Being misunderstood

Internal States (Beyond Immediate Will):

90. Feelings of anxiety (initial surge)
91. Feelings of sadness (initial response)
92. Feelings of anger (initial reaction)
93. Feelings of fear (immediate instinct)
94. Insomnia
95. Sudden mood swings
96. Appetite changes
97. Chronic pain (in many cases)
98. Certain types of physical discomfort
99. Sudden urges or cravings

Acceptance and Peace:

100. The acceptance of our own powerlessness over these things.

This list is extensive, but it highlights the vastness of what we can't directly control. The key is to focus our energy on what we can control: our reactions, our choices, our efforts, our self-compassion. By embracing this perspective, we can find a greater sense of peace and freedom, even amidst life's inevitable challenges. Remember, acceptance isn't resignation; it's the pathway to empowerment.