Incredibly serious

From Joshpsychology

Anxiety has a way of making everything feel incredibly serious.

The conversation has to go perfectly.

The decision has to be the right one.

You have to make a good impression.

You can't embarrass yourself.

You can't mess it up.

And suddenly something that could have been an experience becomes a test you have to pass.

Sometimes one of the most freeing things you can do is deliberately lower the stakes.

Go on the date and see what happens.

Apply for the job because it could be interesting.

Start the hobby even if you're terrible at it.

Post the thing even if nobody cares.

Try something new without needing it to become anything.

Not every decision needs to determine the rest of your life.

Not every interaction needs to mean something about you.

Not everything needs to go perfectly to still be worth doing.

You're allowed to approach your life with curiosity instead of constantly evaluating your performance in it.

Sometimes, "I'm just going to see what happens" is enough.