What If It All Goes Wrong? (And Why You’re Still a Total Badass)

What if you lose your job?

What if money runs out?

What if everything you’ve worked for just… falls apart?

If you’re in midlife, raising kids, maybe caring for aging parents, watching layoffs hit every industry these “what if” thoughts don’t feel dramatic.

They feel real. And heavy.

I was at a fundraiser recently and asked a friend how she was doing. She paused before answering.

“Well… I have a job. I’m grateful for that.”

And I could feel it.

The weight. The uncertainty. The quiet fear so many of us are carrying right now.

We used to answer, “We’re good!” automatically.

Now it’s, “We’re… okay.”

And here’s what I want to say, not in a fluffy, toxic positivity way, but in a grounded, midlife, been-through-some-things kind of way:

You’ve handled hard before.

You can handle hard again.

The “What If” Spiral Is Real (And Normal)

Let’s normalize this.

Waking up at 2am thinking:

• What if we don’t have enough savings?

• What if the company downsizes?

• What if something happens to my health?

• What if the economy tanks even more?

That spiral? It’s human.

Your brain is wired for survival. It’s scanning for the saber-toothed tiger.

But here’s the truth most of us forget:

Worrying doesn’t protect you. It drains you.

A doctor once told me, “The stress of worrying is worse for you than the outcome you’re afraid of.”

That hit.

Because when we live in constant fear of layoffs, health scares, worst-case scenarios, our energy drops. Our confidence shrinks. Our decision-making suffers.

And in midlife? Energy is currency.

Protect Your Energy Like It’s Your Job

When your energy is strong, you show up differently.

You think clearly.You network boldly.You update the resume.You send the text.You pivot when needed.

But when fear takes over? You’re in survival mode.

And survival mode isn’t where your best thinking lives.

You cannot control:

• The economy

• The government

• Your company’s board

• Corporate layoffs

But you can control:

• Your preparation

• Your mindset

• Your response

• Your energy

And that matters more than you think.

Remember Who You Are

Here’s the part I care about most.

Sometimes we forget our own amazing track record.

You have survived:

• Job losses

• Career pivots

• Parenting stages

• Health scares

• Relationship challenges

• A literal global pandemic

You made it through the 70s. The 80s. The 90s. Y2K.You grew up without Google and still figured it out.

You have life muscles.

You just forget sometimes.

When fear creeps in, I want you to think back to a moment when you thought:

“I don’t know how I’m going to get through this.”

And then you did. That time you were fired.That time you were rejected.That time everything fell apart. You adapted. You acclimated. You grew.

That’s not luck.

That’s resilience.

What If It Does Go Wrong?

Let’s play it out.

What if you do lose your job?

Okay. Breathe.

Is it happening today?

No?

Then today’s job is not panic.Today’s job is preparation.

Update your resume.Reach out to someone in your network.Take one action that makes you feel capable.

Because here’s something nobody talks about:

Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel. It’s something you build through action.

My husband once showed up to film a TV series and the entire premise of the show no longer existed.

The industry had shut down. The boats weren’t operating. The whole thing was dead.

He was already there. Crew flown in. Budget spent.

Worst-case scenario.

So what did he do? He built the show from scratch. On the spot. Directed it. Manufactured it. Made it work. It ended up being a hit. That’s the thing about midlife.

You may show up to something that’s completely fallen apart. But you are more resourceful than you think. You don’t crumble. You create.

You Are Not Helpless. You Are Seasoned.

Midlife can feel like the ground is constantly shifting.

Aging parents. Kids launching. Career uncertainty. Economic stress.

Welcome to the Sandwich Generation.

It’s a lot.

But I need you to hear this clearly:

You are not fragile.

You are experienced.

You are not powerless.

You are capable.

You are not behind.

You are battle-tested.

If You’re Spiraling Right Now, Do This

When the “what if” voice gets loud:

1. Ask: Is this happening today?

2. Identify one thing you can control.

3. Take one small action.

4. Remind yourself of one hard thing you’ve already conquered.

And then, this part matters, protect your energy.

Turn off the news if it’s draining you.Follow accounts that lift you up. Get outside. Call someone who reminds you who you are.

If you need sunshine, give sunshine.If you need encouragement, be encouragement.

Energy is contagious. So is fear. Choose wisely.

Ready For A Pump Up?

Let me tell you how I see you.

You are a freaking badass.

You’ve overcome things you don’t even give yourself credit for.

You’ve built a life.You’ve carried people.You’ve shown up when it was hard.

Yes, things can go wrong.

But are you okay right now?

If the answer is yes, then breathe.

And if the answer is no, you will still find your way through.

Because you always have.

Midlife isn’t about pretending chaos doesn’t exist.

It’s about standing taller in the middle of it.

And remembering:

You can do hard things.

You already have.

If this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder of who they are. And if you’re navigating aging parents while still raising kids, I’ve created resources to help you manage the overwhelm without losing yourself in it.

Now go rock the rest of your day.

You’ve got this.

Sending a huge hug and a high five!