Loaded Hyperbole

Loaded hyperbole is the best way to describe the first thing I said to myself when I arrived at work: "I just had a panic attack!"

Of course, I did not have a panic attack. It was hyperbole, an exaggeration of a strong emotional jolt after being confronted with circumstances beyond my control.

In fact, each Monday morning consists of situations outside my control. So where did the panic attack come from? Okay, not a panic attack, but a strong emotional response to circumstances.

The emotional jolt arrives after catastrophic thinking anticipates the worst-case scenario.

What if this could happen in a different direction?

Is it possible to get an emotional jolt and, instead of catastrophic thinking, generate the best possible outcome?

This is hard. Easier said than done. Conjuring up the worst outcome is easy. It almost feels like an obligation, a bill that must be paid.

It does not have to be this way. Just put in the work. It is hard, but worthwhile.

What worst-case scenario are you already paying for?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.

Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.