As we begin 2025, I’ve been reflecting on my own journey with AI anxiety. I’ve been waking up at 5 a.m. for months, eagerly trying to catch up on all the AI news by reading newsletters and testing the latest marketing tools. Even so, I feel. like I’m falling behind. My students, colleagues and friends have similar worries, from doomsday scenarios to job loss and dramatic changes in daily life.
AI anxiety is real, and it’s time we started talking more about it.
In 2025, the best gift I can give myself (and my students) isn’t another AI tool or course. It’s permission to approach AI on our own terms. AI models are doubling in capability every few months. Humans can’t (and shouldn’t be expected to) process and adapt at that pace.
The solution (like it or not!) to AI overwhelm is, ironically, AI itself. I’ve developed a 30-minute self-care routine that has transformed how I manage AI developments. Think of it as your New Year clarity reset – a way to enter 2025 with focus and confidence.
Step 1: Embrace the AI-first mindset (10 minutes)
First, let’s stop carrying this burden alone. Just as we turn to meditation apps for mindfulness or fitness apps for exercise, we can turn to AI for help managing AI. My daily ritual is opening my favorite LLM (you all know it’s Claude) and honestly sharing my AI anxieties.
Recently, I typed: “I’m feeling overwhelmed by keeping up with AI marketing tools. How can you help me and other marketers create a sustainable approach?”
The result is this blog post and my guide on managing AI overload, which will be published soon. Claude didn’t just offer solutions; it helped me create a manageable and personal framework. One that I can now share with all of you.
Step 2: Automate your AI news flow (10 minutes)
Consider this your digital declutter for 2025. Instead of letting AI news invade your day and clog your inbox, it’s time to set clear boundaries.
I use RSS.app to deliver one clean, organized email digest each morning. This and tools like Feedly and Google Alerts provide the only AI news I need. This has been essential for managing my anxiety. Scrolling through news sites or social media without a plan is a sure recipe for stress. I also recommend Sanebox.ai to filter out unwanted emails and organize the ones you want.
Pro tip: Use your LLM to summarize long articles with a simple “key points for marketers” prompt. It’s the equivalent of having a trusted colleague share only the essential takeaways.
Dig deeper: How marketers can break free from decision fatigue
Step 3: Compare and combine LLM superpowers (10 minutes)
This is where overwhelm turns into clarity. Instead of pressuring yourself to master every new AI tool, try using their collective knowledge. It’s like having your own personal Justice League of experts rather than relying on a single hero.
Recently, while crafting a competitive analysis report, I:
- Asked multiple LLMs (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and AWS Nova) for input.
- Compared their perspectives.
- Created a “super-report” combining the best insights from each.
The result? Stronger insights than any single source could provide and, more importantly, greater confidence in the accuracy of the analysis.
Your 2025 permission slip
As we step into 2025 with intention, I’m giving myself the following gifts (and I encourage you to do the same!):
- Permission to not know everything about AI.
- Permission to set boundaries around AI news consumption.
- Permission to use AI to manage AI.
- Permission to prioritize peace of mind.
What began as a simple coping strategy has grown into a sustainable approach for managing AI anxiety and overwhelm. I’ve reclaimed those early morning hours for myself (mostly) and now focus on what I call my “miracle morning” — a time to meditate, connect with myself and offer gratitude for the day ahead.
I hope that by sharing these tools, you enter 2025 not with the anxiety of keeping up, but with the confidence to make AI your ally — on your terms.
Dig deeper: From friction to flow: A marketer’s secret productivity engine
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