<h1>Does everyone worry that good things happening mean bad things will follow?</h1>

Many people experience a sense of unease or even dread when things are going exceptionally well, almost as if expecting a balancing negative event. This feeling often stems from past experiences, cultural beliefs, or a general human tendency to anticipate potential problems. It's a common psychological pattern, not an unusual reaction.

Research suggests that over 60% of adults report experiencing some form of 'joy guilt' or anticipatory anxiety during periods of significant positive life events.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who worries good things mean bad things will follow?

Am I the Only One?

Is it normal to worry that good things happening mean bad things will follow?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to worry that good things happening mean bad things will follow?

Is It Weird?

Why do I worry that good things happening mean bad things will follow?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I keep thinking about this housewarming, you know, in the new place, and how… awkward it’s gonna be with everyone, like, someone’s still struggling with the rent and I’m just… here, feeling really… …

joy guilt

So, Dave, he’s been in a wheelchair since that logging accident like, fifteen years ago? …

joy guilt

And this character falls over, classic banana peel crap, and I hear myself BUST OUT laughing. …

joy guilt

I wanted to jump up and down, to shout about the cantilever and the light study, but his voice was a dull saw, grinding away at everything I hoped for—his whole career a rusted nail just waiting to… …

joy guilt

Like a burr under the saddle, you know? …

joy guilt

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel anxious when everything is going well?▾
Feeling anxious when things are going well can be a protective mechanism, where your mind anticipates potential problems to prepare you. It might also be linked to past experiences where positive periods were followed by challenges.
Is it normal to fear happiness?▾
Fearing happiness, or more accurately, fearing the potential loss of happiness, is a common experience. This isn't about disliking joy itself, but rather a worry about the vulnerability that comes with feeling good, and the potential for that feeling to change.
How can I stop expecting the worst after good news?▾
To shift this pattern, try focusing on the present moment and enjoying the good news without immediately projecting into the future. Consciously acknowledge the positive event and allow yourself to experience the joy without attaching a 'but' to it.

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