Do you play the What If game?

You know what I'm talking about.

The game or 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, but 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 patients and probably you, play it all the time.

It typically starts off pretty simple, and then escalates to P.W. 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's always another What If around the corner, and you just end up feeling fearful,

avoidant, and stuck.

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