3 Methods to Cease Assuming the Worst

Pitching story concepts to editors is a nerve-wracking job that I’ve, for probably the most half, mastered as a contract author. Chilly pitching is virtually second nature to me at this level. However there are events after I assume a pitch is horrible.

So horrible, in actual fact, my thoughts conjures a situation the place the editor has known as all their coworkers into the workplace to chortle on the digital vomit splashed into their inbox. “OMG, guys, what is that this?!” I think about the editor says to their colleagues, who unanimously agree that my pitch is terrible.

To raucous laughter and applause, the editor vows to name up all their editor mates. “I’m going to get this man blacklisted,” they are saying, the workplace now resembling a celebration. “He’ll rue the day he dared to ship me such half-cooked nonsense!”

Oh, pricey. Ought to I electronic mail the editor to profusely apologize for the horrible pitch and take it again? I don’t wish to get blacklisted! Is that even doable? How would I do know? If I ship pitches to different locations and don’t get a response, does that verify that I’ve been blacklisted? Is there an ombudsman or somebody I can contact about this type of factor?

That is my mind leaping to conclusions. That is the Worst-Case Situation™. That is catastrophizing.

[Get This Free Download: 9 Truths About ADHD and Intense Emotions]

The reality is, till the editor responds — both positively or negatively — a pitch exists in superposition: neither good nor unhealthy. Mainly, it’s Schrödinger’s Submission.

In lots of circumstances (and as freelance writers know), pitches do go unanswered. This vacuum of data usually pushes my panicky mind to fill the void with horrible, catastrophic situations.

ADHD Catastrophizing: Why Do I Assume the Worst?

To my thoughts, this harmful and paralyzing thought course of is the unholy union of a fertile creativeness and emotional dysregulation — joined by ADHD.

I could have embellished the worst-case situation story above, however when you have ADHD, you most likely catastrophize, too. You know the way simply your mind conjures horrible outcomes, lots of which have solely a free relationship with motive and logic.

[Read: “Why Do I Assume the Worst-Case Scenario?” How to Stop the ADHD Mind from Worrying]

The way in which I see it, catastrophizing is a common ADHD trait. It runs alongside despair and anxiousness and the propensity to overthink.

Catastrophizing is an insidious course of; a hijacking of the thoughts’s eye that causes it to see solely oblivion because it friends into an unknowable future. What’s worse, consciousness of catastrophizing isn’t sufficient to eliminate it.

Fortunately, I can name on a couple of efficient suppression strategies to mood the worst of catastrophization when it does creep up.

Easy methods to Cease Catastrophizing with ADHD

1. Look to Historical past

I’m not speaking concerning the Struggle of the Roses or the Dreyfus affair; I’m speaking about your private historical past. Assume again to occasions when your ADHD mind rushed to horrible conclusions. How usually did that innocuous occasion truly find yourself in disaster? By and huge, you’ll uncover the catastrophizing mind isn’t a clairvoyant mind.

Even when issues do go badly, it isn’t sure they’ll finish badly. For instance, possibly you misplaced a job (and even bought fired) however at the moment are a lot happier in your new place of business. Maybe you broke up with a long-term companion and satisfied your self that you just’d by no means get better. Did that occasion —which your mind might see no well beyond on the time — pave the way in which so that you can meet your present companion? Regardless of the case could also be, the purpose is that even when unhealthy issues occur, they usually serve to open higher branches of life. Preserve this in thoughts that can assist you cease the snowball of preoccupation earlier than it gathers mass and tempo.

2. Ape the Stoics

Epictetus packed this concept of letting life unfold as it might right into a neat two-word phrase: Amor fati. (That’s “love of destiny” for you Latin audio system.) The Stoic thinker urged us to calmly settle for what occurs as a result of all exterior occasions are out of our management.

I’m undecided how acquainted Epictetus was with ADHD, however amor fati is less complicated stated than accomplished for these of us with the situation. Nonetheless, it’s a philosophy price pursuing. Life is chaotic sufficient with out us inventing extra issues for ourselves.

3. Get Transferring

When catastrophic considering commandeers your mind, it may be arduous to get on with the rest. However train is a time-tested countermeasure to assist enhance your temper and mitigate the results of wayward ideas and horrid hypotheticals.

For some folks, an extended stroll in nature helps them change a dark disposition with a hopeful outlook, or perhaps a extra goal one. For others, placing their muscular tissues beneath pressure on the gymnasium can do the trick.

Give your self permission to strive the following tips should you’re catastrophizing. In spite of everything, what’s the worst that might occur?

Catastrophizing with ADHD: Subsequent Steps

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