I get coronavirus? What if someone in my family does? What if I can’t pay my bills? What if I don’t have health insurance? What if I can’t leave my home for months? What if I go to work and expose myself, or others, to this virus? What if someone in my family dies? What if I die?
The “What IFs” can cause more physical and emotional health issues for us than the virus!
The “What IFs” can raise anxiety to an unhealthy level. They are the reason we can’t sleep at night. The reason we can’t concentrate on anything else. The reason we lose hope.
When I coach clients on the “What IFs” we continue the scenario from the initial question to probable outcomes, based on truth. You can’t stay with the question and all the follow-up “What IFs” our hopelessness presents. We have to look at the facts, all possibilities, and rest in the hope of an outcome different than the results of our mind at 3:00am!
This is how we fight our fears by acknowledging the “What IF,” talking it through, and creating a plan to be ready for all possibilities. And, yes, that does include those possibilities we don’t want to acknowledge. Learning how to adapt to a new way of living we didn’t ask for, but coming out on the other side with the pride we fought through it, can see light in our experience, and the need to share that with someone else going through the same thing.
If you are able to help and encourage others during this difficult time, give them an outlet to speak their fear. Call or video chat with 2 people each day that need your wisdom and support. This also takes your mind off your own thoughts and puts them to work for others.
If you are needing to Fight Your Fear by tackling the “What IFs,” follow this link to my 4-week coaching class that can get you back on track to living through uncertainty. Bring 1-2 friends you know need this, too, and we will start your group according to your schedules.
Share with me in the comments your “What IFs.” Give them a voice and get them out of your mind. This is the first step to tackling your fear.
Leave a Reply