Why do I always imagine the worst-case scenario?
Catastrophizing — jumping to the worst possible outcome — is a cognitive pattern where your brain treats unlikely disasters as probable. It's often a learned protective mechanism: if you mentally prepare for the worst, you feel like you're in control.
Stories for this feeling
If this sounds like you, here are three stories.
The Cup She Refilled Twice
She refilled the cup twice before realizing she wasn't actually thirsty. The water was just an excuse to leave the desk, to stand, to let her hands re
The Mirror Before Bed
She stood in front of the bathroom mirror longer than she meant to, running through the conversation she should have had, the one where she said the r
The Door She Closed Without Kn
She closed the door and stood in the hallway longer than she needed to. The apartment was quiet in a way that felt borrowed, like a library after hour