If your brain loves to catastrophize every social interaction until you're lowkey ready to disappear, you're definitely not alone. For many of us, the fear of making a fool of ourselves is so heavy it feels like a full-time job. One writer recently shared their journey from being a teenager who hid behind their twin sister to someone who moved across the globe, all thanks to a simple therapy trick that literally lives rent-free in their head.
The magic formula
The breakthrough came during a therapy session when the writer was spiraling about facing the world. Their therapist hit them with two questions: 'What’s the worst thing that could happen?' and 'And then what?'
When the writer admitted their worst fear was making an idiot of themselves, the therapist pressed: 'And then what?' The realization was an absolute W: even in the 'worst' scenario, the outcome is just going home, hopping into bed, and trying again the next day. It’s giving reality check.
Why it slays
These questions have become a total survival guide for everything from awkward university 'fun fact' introductions to first dates that don't make you want to sprint in the opposite direction. By stripping away the power of the 'what if,' the writer was able to land a first-class degree and even survive an international move. Whether you’re dodging an old classmate in the grocery store or prepping for a job interview, this mindset is a major vibe. It’s all about realizing that your social blunders, real or imagined, rarely actually matter in the long run. Say less—we’re definitely adding this to our toolkit.
