Inner clutter takes up most of our attention. We can get overly involved with complaining and fearful thoughts. They produce adrenalin in us and we feel active and energetic. It feels like something is happening. But all the being caught up and wrestling with our problems leaves us feeling tired and unproductive.
I think we get taught early on that worry and emotional over-involvement are an essential part of life. We see our parents and friends intensely grapple over difficult situations, or worry about possible negative futures, and we learn a negative way of functioning. I remember my parents worrying and arguing about money. Their was a fierceness and anxiety in their words. My sister and I used to leave the room because it physically hurt. The extra difficult part was never seeing a resolution. Their was never a point where the problem was resolved and everything was okay. I remember having the thought that the main thing adults do is worry and I dreaded my future.
I found an opposite approach is a powerful solution. My experience is that when we gently observe fear, worry, misery, conflict and frustration turbulence, accepting them as they are, they begin to lose their power and slowly wither away. The mind might not buy this initially because it's invested in the involvement. Focusing most of it's attention on its reactions to what is makes the mind feel powerful. But when we notice that it's a counterfeit power, it has no value and doesn't make us feel better, our need for the involvement begins to fall away.