The danger of catastrophicizing and missed opportunities

One of the issues I find lately is catastrophicizing, the unfounded and unrealistic worries that I have about small problems, that if left unaddressed could lead to bigger problems. But also that might not be worthwhile to address immediately. The video I shared a bit earlier because I found it kind of interesting — it’s something I’ve been talking about with my therapist and it’s something I’m trying to avoid more in my life.

I am pretty good at doing cost-benefit analysis and a times keeping things in context. But I am also a vivid news consumer and smart enough to know there are real risks out there in the world. Preventative maintenance is important, but also not every problem need be fixed immediately. Professionally, I am aware of set boundaries and procedures, but in my own personal life, I often find it more difficult to know what boundaries and what risk to take.

But at the same time, I’ve become so darn risk adverse. I think this video is a reminder that it’s important to take risks, not be so conservative. A risk not taken is a possibly missed. Avoid all risks means you pass up on a lot of good that can come from taking more risks. It can be downright depressing if you dwell on risks and don’t take some risk. The worse isn’t likely to happen, and if it does, I am a lot more affluent and able to take harm then people who are living much closer to the margins.