Fear interprets uncertainty according to its own interests.

An unknown outcome is a blank, and fear fills blanks in its own favor. Silence becomes disapproval, a delay becomes bad news, an ambiguous expression becomes a judgment. Fear is not lying; it is doing its job, which is to prepare you for the worst reading of anything unclear. The cost is that you live through many disasters that never occur.

When you notice yourself interpreting an unknown, name at least two other readings that fit the same facts. Not to force optimism, only to break the monopoly. Then ask what you would do differently under each. Often the answer is the same regardless, which means the interpretation was never load-bearing.