This Week in The Feel Better Letter π
β Loss aversion makes the fear of losing something feel more powerful than the possibility of gaining somethingβeven when that potential gain could change your life.
β Many people approach recovery believing that managing and coping with fear is the best they can hope for, so they never fully pursue the possibility of living in peace and trust.
β The mind can convince you that investing in yourself or getting help is a bigger risk than continuing to live with fear.
β One way to turn loss aversion in your favor is to look at how much time fear has already taken from youβand recognize the value of taking action now.
β New episode: The Real Reason You Haven't Healed From Anxiety (Not What You Think)
Matt's Message of the Week
The Phenomenon of Loss Aversion
What if the biggest risk isn't investing in your recovery, but continuing to lose time to fear?
There's a psychological phenomenon called loss aversion.
Essentially, we're more motivated by the fear of losing something than we are by the potential of gaining something.
And I think this plays a major role in why so many people stay stuck in fear.
When you've lived with anxiety, OCD, or intrusive thoughts for years, you can start believing that managing and coping is the best outcome available.
You may intellectually understand that recovery is possible, but you don't fully pursue it.
And when the opportunity to get help comes along, your mind starts calculating the risk.
What if I invest the time and money and it doesn't work?
What if I lose something?
But here's what I want you to consider.
What about the time you're already losing to fear?
Think about how much of your life has been spent ruminating, doing compulsions, worrying about the future, or trying to figure everything out.
Fear doesn't just make you uncomfortable. It takes you out of the present moment.
Your body may be physically there with your family, your children, or the people you love, but your attention is somewhere else.
And time is the most finite resource you have.
Every day you spend stuck in the same cycle is time you don't get back.
So instead of using loss aversion as a reason to avoid investing in yourself, start looking at what fear has already cost you.
Getting guidance, learning new tools, and putting time and energy into your recovery are investments in your life.
You don't have to work with us. Find whatever guidance feels right for you.
But don't let the fear of losing something keep you from pursuing something better.
The real loss may be continuing to give your time to fear.
(Click below to listen to the full message.)
Helpful Episodes for the Week
The Real Reason You Haven't Healed From Anxiety (Not What You Think)
If you have been struggling with fear, anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts for months or years, this episode is for you. Matt shares the top five reasons he has seen people stay stuck, drawing on 15 years of one-on-one work, group trainings, and his own recovery.
π [Watch Episode]
How to Stop Health Anxiety After the Doctor Clears You
In this episode, Matt walks through the paradox of health anxiety. The more you try to control your health through checking, analyzing, and ruminating, the more you can end up in the very state that gets in the way of healing.
π [Watch Episode]
How to Recover Your Peace: Mental Health Recovery Explained
If you've been working hard on your anxiety or OCD and it still feels like you're chasing symptoms, this episode offers a completely different angle on recovery. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and OCD Awareness Week, Matt breaks down what mental health recovery actually is, and why how you frame it changes what you go after.
π [Watch Episode]
Interested in Working Together?
π§ Free Assessment
Take a quick assessment to understand your specific fear loop and get your personalized recovery roadmap.
π [Take the Free Assessment]
π The Book: From Stuck to Unstuck
Learn the Triple-A Responseβ’ and discover a clear, proven path for stepping out of the fear loop and reclaiming your life.
π [Get the Book]
π± Taking Back Control Program
Join our 12-week recovery program and get the structure, support, and guidance you need to create lasting change.
π [Apply to Join]
π£οΈ Work 1-on-1 with Matt
Get personalized coaching and direct support from Matt to solidify your recovery and deepen your practice of trust.
π [Work with Matt]
This Weekβs Reminder
Fear makes the possibility of loss feel bigger than the possibility of gain.
But what about everything fear has already taken from you?
Your time, your attention, and your presence are valuable.
Don't let the fear of making the wrong investment keep you from investing in yourself.
Start taking steps toward the life you want to live.
To your freedom and success,
Matt
