I can recall many times in my life where I’ve been waiting for big news and was worried that things wouldn’t go my way. There were college and grad school applications. Job interviews. Promotions. Book proposals. And even, yes, elections.
How to Brace Yourself for Disappointment
Sometimes focusing on the worst-case scenario helps. Sometimes it doesn’t.
November 03, 2020
Stephen Stickler/Getty Images
Summary.
How do you prepare yourself for what might be a large, perhaps even life-changing, disappointment? Is it better to think it through ahead of time? Or do you just end up wasting energy and causing yourself anxiety when you can’t know the outcome yet anyway? The first thing you need to do is ask if worrying really helps. If your anxiety motivates you to take action that can affect the outcome, then it might be useful. Worry can also compel you to gather resources – such as social support – to help you stay resilient if the worst-case scenario comes to fruition. But you should balance any agonizing with some sense of hope, as long as you aren’t overconfident that things will go your way. Definitely don’t wallow in misery. You can’t prepay your pain. And if you have trouble quelling unhelpful, negative emotions, try distracting yourself with something fun or meditative.