Do you play the what if game? You know what I'm talking about. The game where when you approach any situation you start thinking about everything that could possibly happen.

If this or if that.

Well what if you could win this game by not even playing it in the first place.

Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life's challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment. Ah, the what if game. My patience and probably you play it all the time.

It typically starts off pretty simple and then escalates to Peewe Herman level silliness.

Let's say you're a bit shy and thinking about going to a party. You might start with

what if I can't find the right outfit or what if I can't think of anything to talk about?

Then inevitably you end up in a zone where it's,

what if I trip on the corner of the rug, tumble over the couch,

and spill my drink on Rebecca George and she verbally

eviscerates me while playing the ukulele. Have you noticed that with

what if questions and lines of thinking that you're never satisfied. There is always another

what if around the corner and you just end up feeling fearful,

avoidant, and stuck. Here's the thing with the what-if game. Your odds of winning it

are less than winning the lottery. You have to opt out of playing to win. Why? Because anxiety never wants you to be comfortable. Today we're

going to talk about a few ways to retire your Jersey and walk away from the

what-if playing fields.

A fundamental problem with what ifs is that they often confuse probability versus possibility.

For instance, what if a jet engine fell through my roof and killed me?

Is that a possibility?

Sure.

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