Why Do I Feel Like I’m Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop or Fall?
Have you ever experienced a moment of calm or success, only to be followed by a nagging sense of unease?
You’re not alone—many of us know this sensation all too well.
But why does this happen? Why do we, in the middle of peacefulness, ask: Why do I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or fall?
There are various reasons behind this feeling including anxiety and past trauma. There are also many ways to stop feeling this way, which we’ll share with you today.
Why You Feel This Way
There’s a reason you always feel something is about to go south even when nothing seems to indicate so. Among those reasons you’ll find the following:
1. Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress are often at the core of the feeling that something bad is about to happen.
When you’re anxious, your mind is in a heightened state of alert, always scanning around for potential threats or dangers.
Consequently, you’ll feel a constant sense of dread, where even during peaceful or successful moments, you can’t shake the feeling that the other shoe is about to drop.
2. Past Trauma
When you go through a monumental event in life, your perspective of the future and possible events changes.
If you’ve experienced significant negative events or trauma, your brain may be wired to expect bad things to happen as a way to protect you from further harm.
This hyper-vigilance is a survival mechanism, but it can also be debilitating, causing you to constantly anticipate the worst even when there’s no real danger.
3. Perfectionism
Another reason that you feel this way could be perfectionism. Perfectionists set extraordinarily high standards for themselves, often striving for flawlessness in everything they do.
While this can drive you to accomplish everything to the best of your abilities, it also creates immense pressure and fear of failure.
For perfectionists, any mistake, no matter how small, can feel catastrophic.
This intense fear of failure means that even when things are going well, there’s always a looming sense of dread that something will go wrong, that they’ll fall short of their expectations, and all their hard work will unravel.
How to stop being afraid of what could go wrong
Constantly feeling like the other shoe is about to drop isn’t so bad when it keeps you observant of possible mistakes and dangers.
However, when it’s a persistent feeling that steals your current joy, that’s when it turns into a problem. To take back control, you need to remember the following tips:
1. Focus On the Present
As mentioned, when you let that feeling of dread take over, it steals your current happiness and joy.
Instead of savoring moments, you become preoccupied with worries about what might go wrong in the future.
To offset this, focus on the present moment—a practice that might bring immediate relief and help you reclaim your peace of mind.
One effective way to stay grounded in the present is to engage in mindful activities. Whether taking a walk, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting quietly, try to immerse yourself in the experience.
2. Identify Your Patterns
When you start thinking “This is too good to last,” or “Something bad is bound to happen soon,” pause and ask yourself whether this thought is based on evidence or if it’s a product of anxiety.
Once you’ve identified the thought, challenge it! For instance, if you’re worried that your success is about to fade and soon be followed by failure, consider the evidence that supports this fear.
Have you failed in similar situations before? Is this fear unfounded? When you examine the reality of the situation, you can begin to see that your worries may not be as justified as they seem.
3. Use Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements you repeat to yourself to challenge and overcome negative thoughts.
They work by reinforcing a more optimistic and self-compassionate mindset, which can help shift your focus away from fear and anxiety.
For example, if you find yourself feeling anxious about what’s to come, replace your thoughts with an affirmation like, “I am capable of handling whatever comes my way” or “I deserve to enjoy this moment of peace.”
The key to making affirmation effective is consistency. Add them to your daily routine—say them out loud in the morning, write them in a journal, or repeat them silently to yourself throughout the day.
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Again, why do I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or fall? This emotion can be linked to anxiety, past trauma, perfectionism, and more.
To take back control you need to focus on the current moments in your life. Don’t let your mind wander to what ifs and maybes.
Also, learn when these thoughts pop up and challenge them with logic and positive affirmations!
Remember, it’s not about ignoring your feelings but understanding them and responding with self-compassion. If that, or the strategies above aren’t working, book a consultation with me and let’s talk about what is going on.
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