Unhelpful Questions to Ask Yourself
Anxiety getting the best of you? Me too.
Note from editor: I actually wrote this at a coffee shop, not my couch.
I originally wrote something on losing friends (because 3 ex-friends of mine showed up in a dream recently) and it felt whiny. Who am I to say if other people want to be my friend or not? It’s not up to me to make that decision for them.
So, I decided to turn it in to something silly and share what questions run through my mind because I am an anxious person. Maybe it’s something you’ve experienced, too. And maybe these questions are helpful for you to realize that being yourself, doing your best, and being kind are usually the best courses of action.
If you’ve lost a friend, try asking:
Was it my fault?
It probably was, wasn’t it?
I should have reached out more, shouldn’t I?
Why did they go on vacation without me?
How can I figure out what aspect of my personality is inherently unlikable?
If you are feeling like a failure, try asking:
Why did I even try a new hobby?
Who do I think I am?
How come they can do it so well?
When is too soon to give up?
Who has placed these incredibly high expectations on me and why was it myself?
If you are feeling a lack of creativity:
I took a class, surely that means I must know how to do everything, right?
Why am I focusing on creating the perfect product when that literally doesn’t exist?
Am I even a real writer [or insert hobby here] if I am not making money from my [hobby]?
What is the point when no one is even going to see this?
Why aren’t I like [insert famous creative here]?
If you’re feeling lonely, try asking:
How can I make myself more likable?
What boxes do I need to make myself fit in to have more friends?
How many minutes a day can I allot to feeling miserable?
Should I stand in the rain to really feel the effect of being lonely?
Should I post something about feeling lonely to see if other people are feeling lonely and then we can all be lonely together?
If you’re feeling vulnerable, I recommend:
Surely no one else in the world has experienced this, right?
Oh shit, was that too much?
When is a good time to sit and reflect on all the awkwardness I just experienced?
And my favorite, usually while shaking your fist:
WHY????