>> Why We Have This Emotion
Worry is fear's unfocused cousin, spinning around something vague in the future, where fear reacts to something specific. Worry only pays off when it produces an actual plan.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Separate what’s controllable and not
- Take a small action that reduces risk
- Maintain basic self-care routines
- Make a 3-part containment plan: Write down your specific worries. Write out the worst-case scenario. Write your first counter-action.
Bad Ideas
- Google endlessly to widen your fears
- Self-soothe with doom scrolling
- Skip meals to “stay on top of things”
- Use substances to numb yourself
- Mistake worrying for planning
- Rehearse catastrophes without making any useful plans