Post by Emily Key, LPC-MHSP
Being on the brink of something new has always scared me. Excited me too, but mostly scared me. My tendency is to focus on all the negative “what ifs” so much that I lose sight of how delightful the unknown can be. “What if I don’t know what I’m doing, what if I look stupid, what if I can’t handle it, what if I’m an impostor, what if I let someone down…” One after another the thoughts bury the joy of the new endeavor deeper and deeper.
When I stop to really think about it, I realize that always knowing is actually the scarier thing. Imagine day in and day out knowing each formula of life and never having ANY mystery or wonder or new experience. That’s terrifying!
So the unknown itself is not the problem. The problem is the negative thinking and self talk we attach to it. How would we approach the unknown differently if we changed these things? “What if I thrive, what if I find a great fit and flow, what if I make a difference, what if I learn and grow?” Isn’t it possible that all those what ifs could be equally true? That feels much better! ✨
I would love to help you learn to recognize and challenge your own negative voice. You deserve to experience the joy of, mystery, and excitement of stepping into the unknowns. Let’s get started!