How likely is this really?
Calm your fear by seeing the odds as they really are.
When you catch yourself imagining worst-case scenarios, pause and ask:
🤔 How likely is this really?
Our minds are prone to worst-case thinking because early humans who reacted strongly to possible threats were more likely to survive. In modern life, that ancient bias often works against us. We zero in on what might go wrong and forget how often things work out. We might worry that missing a flight will ruin our entire trip, even though most flights run on time or can be rescheduled. But possibility and likelihood are not the same. Almost any disaster can be imagined if we let our thoughts spiral, yet most fears never come to pass.
This tendency is easy for others to exploit. News stories and social media often warn of climate collapse, mass extinctions, or a third world war. While these risks are serious, they’re often presented in ways that focus on extreme outcomes because fear grabs attention and drives engagement. The more vivid and repeated these stories are, the more our minds treat them as certain rather than possible. We start carrying these fearful narratives as if they’re inevitable, making it harder to see the full picture.
Overestimating the likelihood of worst-case scenarios is like seeing shadows in the dark and assuming they’re monsters or spotting the glowing eyes of a predator in the night, only to realize they’re just fireflies.
Recognizing this tendency is the first step to overcoming it. Before letting worst-case scenarios take over, pause to check how realistic they really are. Try to imagine the full range of possible outcomes instead of locking onto the worst one. Take a broader view by looking at what experience or history tells you about similar events. Also, consider whether your sources are reliable or simply the loudest voices. Even when a bad outcome is possible, it’s often far less likely than it feels in the moment. The goal isn’t to dismiss risk but to see it clearly, so your choices come from clarity instead of fear.
Whenever your thoughts spiral toward the worst case, take a breath and ask:
🤔 How likely is this really?
