If your thoughts keep circling back to “what if” or you’re constantly preparing for something bad — it might be time to check in with yourself.
Notice patterns of anticipatory worry
Anxiety often hides behind preparation — always imagining worst-case scenarios, scanning for danger, or overthinking things that haven’t even happened. While this can feel like being careful, over time it may leave you tense, distracted, or emotionally drained. A self-assessment can’t diagnose anything, but it may help you recognize if these mental habits are becoming patterns. Taking a moment to reflect might help you understand what your thoughts are protecting — and whether that constant alertness is still serving you.