The Joy of ‘What if’…

As a writer of speculative fiction, a story concept usually starts with the question ‘What if?’ Although the question is simple, the answer is often complex and gives rise to even more questions, whose answers form the framework of a, hopefully, compelling narrative. Alternative history and dystopian fiction authors pose the question, often with predictively terrifying results.

It’s also a question we ask in our everyday lives. But becoming obsessed with ‘what if’ can paralyse us with indecision or stop us from choosing a path that might change our lives for the better.

‘I want to ask her out, but what if she says “no”, or worse, what if she says “yes”! How can she possibly like me?’.

‘I’d love to record the song that I have poured my heart and soul into, but what if folk hate it?’.

But that’s the joy of ‘what if?’. It’s only a question. We all have the power within us to shrug and ignore the doubts spinning around our minds. Of course, for those of us who are introverts and not blessed with the self-assurance of always being right, it can take us more time to unravel the doubts!

In sharp contrast, the despairing, retrospective ‘if only’, is much more difficult to overcome. Regret is an insidious worm gnawing at our self-worth, always in the background mocking and colouring happy moments with sadness.

So, maybe we should use the unpredictive alternatives of ‘what if?’ to make better decisions, then, perhaps, the ‘if onlys’ will be reduced to those events beyond our control.