We Fear Losing Control More Than Losing

One of the most beautiful feelings in the world is when you are dreading something — truly dreading it — and then it turns out perfectly, and you emerge from it victorious. This includes everything: that awkward conversation you were dreading, that presentation, that journey, that difficult task. Underlying all of this is a common anxiety. But it's not simply about anticipating the worst possible outcome — this is a different kind of anxiety. One where you are dreading the task more than the outcome. Your subconscious doesn't conjure the worst-case scenario; it fixates on the exact scenario you are dreading. There are layers to our anxiety and our mind's defence mechanisms that we don't fully acknowledge. There are tasks that make us uncomfortable. There are conversations where we are holding so much back, terrified we might blurt out something we'd regret. So first there is a script we must adhere to. Then there is a restraint we must maintain. We have to stop ourselves from slipping…