#psychology #neurodiversity #copingmechanism #survivalstrategy > “I am AFRAID to be hurt again so any option, any idea, any opportunity, any adventure is first SCREENED for potential RISK of pain and failure. Unless an idea is vouched to be 99% safe, the idea and taking action upon it is rejected.” > “I will only take ACTION on ideas, adventures etc. that seem to be low-risk.” Everything goes through a series of evaluations on risk and reward. This has been a safety-mechanism after experiencing [[Traumatic Experience at Work]]. It's closely Related to [[Dependence and Down-Regulation, Survival Strategy]]. It's what keeps me from [[Start Doing]]. Very few ideas actually make it through that process. Hence I tend to not do anything as a result but think about the dangers and implications and risks the whole time which puts me down, costs a lot of energy and at the end of the day, nothing is better. Anything that's possibly 'dangerous', like going for an adventure, getting a job, calling a friend, making a new friend is quickly disqualified. Or it is mulled over for so long that the energy to DOING is lost in energy THINKING. Before I felt like I could do anything and wasn't afraid. I had potential! That potential was stifled but it's still there. I guess i'd have to get out of my head, out of feeling acutely endangered and back to a more realistic view of the world. Less black-and-white and more gradual. To [[Start Doing]] more even when there is a little risk.