I used to navigate life’s ups and downs with a simple mantra: “What’s the worst that could happen?” This comforting phrase helped me through everything from ordinary stress to significant life events. However, I find myself asking this question less frequently these days because it no longer brings me peace.
For years, I’ve managed my anxiety with various strategies, including medication, breathing exercises, and regular therapy sessions. The most effective tool was one my therapist introduced to me when I was anxious about my wedding day. Faced with concerns about the attention I’d receive and the logistics of the event, I learned that contemplating the worst-case scenario often revealed outcomes that were manageable and temporary—like feeling a bit embarrassed or having a minor conflict. This approach helped me calm my nerves.
This technique guided me through numerous challenges, from family dynamics to holiday stress. Yet, in 2022, with heightened stakes and anxiety levels, the worst-case scenarios I envision now feel alarmingly real and devastating. What I once thought of as trivial fears have transformed into genuine threats.
The pandemic has altered my perspective dramatically. I’m now acutely aware of the long-term effects it can have on my health and my loved ones. It’s unfathomable to me that I’m in a position where I must safeguard myself and my children against a deadly virus. The isolation we’ve endured has made every decision—like those regarding vaccines for my little ones—feel like a monumental responsibility. After experiencing COVID-19 myself, I now grapple with worries about potential complications, and when I turn to my go-to question, the answer feels overwhelmingly grim: death. The thought of losing my children, my spouse, or my parents is paralyzing.
I also find myself plagued by fears of school shootings. Recent tragedies, like the one at Robb Elementary School in Texas, remind me that when I drop my kids off at school, the worst-case scenario could be that they never come home. It’s hard to breathe through those thoughts.
On a broader scale, I’m troubled by political unrest and human rights violations. With each news story of violence and discrimination, my worries grow. I fear for my daughters’ autonomy and their future. No longer am I anxious over petty concerns; instead, I’m engulfed in worries for their safety and well-being.
Clearly, it’s time for me to explore new strategies since my old methods are no longer effective. Perhaps the solution lies not in fixating on potential outcomes but in finding strength within myself. I’ve witnessed countless individuals endure unimaginable circumstances and emerge resilient. Therefore, I commit to taking action and channeling my anxiety into something constructive.
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