A rejection lasts a week. Wondering “what if” can eat a whole summer.

A no is finite. It hurts sharply, it takes up a few days, and then it becomes a fact you know rather than a question you carry. An unasked question has no end point, so it stays available to replay at odd hours for months. The unpleasant known is usually lighter than the open unknown.

If there is something you have not asked, work out the actual worst outcome and how long it would last. Usually it is a bad week you can name. Trade the week for the summer if that is the choice in front of you.