Our imagination is one of the greatest gifts we ever received.

It allows us to dream big, innovate, and create. But, when left unchecked, it can also become our worst enemy.

Have you ever been scared about something that hasn’t even happened yet? You may be worried about starting a new job or trying something new like starting a YouTube channel.

You imagine all the bad things that could go wrong. But when the moment finally comes, it’s not as bad as you thought. That’s because The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality,” a profound truth that continues to resonate centuries later.

Story Time

A few months ago, I had to report to a different location at work and lead a different team. I was so nervous! For days, I kept thinking, What if I mess up? What if people laugh at me? What if I don’t have answers to their questions?

My mind was playing all kinds of tricks on me, making me feel scared and anxious.

The night before the relocation, I couldn’t sleep. My imagination had convinced me that the next day was going to be a disaster. But guess what?

When I reached the new reporting office, it went pretty well! everyone was so welcoming, and nobody laughed.

I realized that all the worry and stress I had put myself through was just in my head. In reality, the situation wasn’t nearly as scary as I imagined. I had spent days worrying for no reason.

Why Do We Imagine the Worst?

Let’s think of your mind like a movie theater. Sometimes, it plays happy movies where everything is going well. But other times, it plays scary movies where you imagine things going wrong.

The problem is, that the scary movies in our heads often show things that never even happen.

Imagine the time when you had a test at school. Before the test, you might thought, What if I forget everything? What if I fail? But when you sat down to take the test, it wasn’t as bad as you thought. You knew most of the answers, and the test went fine.

This happens because our brains are wired to be on the lookout for danger. Our brains make us imagine scary things, even when they’re not real.

This leads to what psychologists call catastrophizing — the tendency to imagine and believe that the worst possible thing is going to happen, even if it’s highly unlikely.

Real VS Imagined Problems.

A key step toward reducing imagined problems is learning to differentiate between what’s real and what’s imagined.

Start by asking yourself:

Is this a real problem? or am I borrowing trouble from the future?

Take a moment to observe your thoughts. When you catch yourself on a negative outcome that hasn’t happened yet, acknowledge it.

A pro tip, you can even write it down. Putting your worries on paper often helps put them into perspective.

The more we think about what _might_ go wrong, the more we stop ourselves from doing things. And most of the time, those things we worry about never happen!

How to Suffer Less?

There are some practical ways to stop suffering so much and feel more peaceful:

1. Stay in the Present: Instead of thinking about what could go wrong in the future, focus on what’s happening right now. For example, if you’re worried about a big game or performance, instead of imagining what could go wrong, focus on practicing and getting better today.

2. Take Action: Sometimes, the best way to stop worrying is to do something about it. If you’re worried about an upcoming test, studying a little each day can help. If you’re scared of trying something new, like learning to write, practicing daily makes it easier.

3. Talk About It: When we keep our worries inside, they grow bigger. Talking to someone — a parent, teacher, or friend — can help you realize that your worries aren’t as big as they seem.

4. Positive Imagining: Instead of imagining the worst, try imagining the best. What if the thing you’re afraid of actually goes well? What if people like your idea or you make new friends? This simple change in thinking can help you feel more confident and less worried.

The Bottom Line

We often suffer more in our minds than in real life because we let our imagination run wild with fear. But when we focus on the present, take action, and accept that we can’t control everything, life becomes a lot less stressful.

You’re stronger than you think, and most of the time, things aren’t as bad as your imagination makes them seem! Stay present, take action, and enjoy life without unnecessary worry.