How to Prepare for the Worst

We tend to get very attached to plan As. We’ll get married, move into a house near the park, work in financial services, pivot into philanthropy and then end up in a cottage by the sea painting and looking after our grandchildren. Or we’ll become a famous actor, play in a selection of thoughtful dramas about the inner life and in time move into production or, perhaps, mentorship.
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FURTHER READING
You can read more on this and other subjects here: b4f4.short.gy/dwaFTs
“We tend to get very attached to plan As. We’ll get married, move into a house near the park, work in financial services, pivot into philanthropy and then end up in a cottage by the sea painting and looking after our grandchildren. Or we’ll become a famous actor, play in a selection of thoughtful dramas about the inner life and in time move into production or, perhaps, mentorship.
And then life laughs and we get cancer or are fired; or say the wrong thing or declare bankruptcy or get tinnitus or go bipolar. There are around 78 major organs in the body and each one of them can go spectacularly wrong in hugely florid and rapid ways. We’re surrounded by millions of people whose aspirations are actively or passively in conflict with our own. We are acutely fragile bundles of nerves and neurons adrift in a sharp-edged random universe. The chances of something going wrong are enormous - and they will…”
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CREDITS
Produced in collaboration with:
Gemma Green-Hope
www.gemmagreenhope.com/
Title animation produced in collaboration with
Graeme Probert
www.gpmotion.co.uk

[@saranonimus9211]

One of my personal mantras is "a year from now, this will be a year ago." I find it especially helpful during hard times, but it also helps keep me grounded when things are going well, keeping my ego in check, reminding me to maintain the fundamentals and stay on track. A year from now, this will be a year ago.

[@rebeccahowie623]

This is a great perspective, I'm happy to have come across your comment.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

This comment was more helpful than this video.

[@thaoofficial1570]

This is wise

[@fabovondestory]

When im in a unpleasant situation I think "There will be a time when this is over". And sometimes im sitting in bed or whatever and think about some of these situations long ago.

[@saranonimus9211]

@fabovondestory good point...we can always look back on the things we've survived and remember thinking we weren't strong enough, yet here we are.

[@carlmalone9694]

It was 2012. I just turned 30. A week after my b'day, I quit my stable job in Europe to come back to India to follow my new dream of becoming a Yoga teacher and travel the world. My parents and I were about to move into our new home in a week which they constructed over ten years (saving money) and realizing their little dream come true. It was a beautiful feeling. One morning, when I came back home after a jog - I saw my father had a heart attack and he passed away. My mother absolutely shattered saw no point in moving to a new house just by herself so we decided to sell it (without my mum ever stepping into her own home). Anyways, we gathered ourselves up and started to plan our lives again, when in 2016 my mother was diagnosed with stage III brain tumor and now she lays in bed with partial paralysis, lost her voice and most of her memory. Actually, I WANT LAUGH - why? because how stupid I was to think that one day I will have a job , a home and perhaps a loving wife and may be children. Now, I am 42 , single and caring for my sick mother 24x7 with absolutely no idea where to go next- perhaps I am okay with it (?) I am not sure though. Work in progress.

[@thaoofficial1570]

You are doing the right thing to take care of your mother. God bless you!

[@carlmalone9694]

Thank you @@thaoofficial1570

[@koalatheworld]

You are a good son. There is nothing beneficial about marriage. So don't bother.

[@tomostinato2918]

Being there for your mum when she needs you most is one of the most important and admirable things you'll ever do. Respect and best wishes.

[@rajann44]

Life is really unexpected. You are a real gem who is taking caring of your mom. Your dad above the sky would be really pleased to see you taking care of everything. Though you are currently single, have you thought about dating. Why not give it a try.

[@harmenbreedeveld8026]

"And then life laughs". That's a big, big truth!

[@deepanshulakhwan3809]

Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst.

[@ripvanwinkle_7]

The best thing I've learned when it comes to dealing with a bad situation is just showing indifference to it, meaning I treat it as I would treat any other problem. I don't find myself thinking, 'How can God do this to me?' or 'Why do all bad things happen to me?' This type of thinking only leads to more misery and fewer solutions

[@moonhunter9993]

agreed. Acceptance is key.

[@steijnmuller7228]

Central to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/stoicism/etc. Wisdom as old as life (a good thing) :)

[@NexCuento]

Very well illustrates how our best-laid plans can be disrupted, and it encourages us to approach life with a sense of openness and resilience. In a world of constant change, the ability to embrace alternatives and accept life's curveballs can be a source of strength and resilience. Thank you for sharing this insightful perspective.

[@sneakerbabeful]

Sorry, but most people do not have infinite money. Damn your elitist perspective.

[@NexCuento]

@@sneakerbabeful Tolerance and understanding others, while respecting different perspectives, are keys to success in every walk of life. I appreciate your time and concern in sharing your perspective. Thank you for highlighting the practical aspects of dealing with life's challenges, especially regarding financial constraints. However, my original comment, to which you responded, was intended to emphasize the importance of mental resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected events, irrespective of one's financial situation. It seems there might have been a misunderstanding of my point. I believe these qualities can be a source of strength for people from all walks of life. It’s important to acknowledge that while financial resources do play a role in how we navigate challenges, the essence of my message was about an internal, emotional resilience that helps us face various situations. I hope this clarifies my viewpoint. Stay safe, stay happy, stay blessed.

[@rebeccahowie623]

This couldn't have come at a better time... today I found out my mother may have pancreatic cancer. She recently moved away from the family home (Dad died in May, and our beautiful home was sold 3 days ago). I live alone in a tiny room above a pub, in a city with no family or friends; completely bedridden for 7 years, in a blacked out room unable to tolerate visitors; and haven't been outside my bedroom for 5 years let alone in the outdoors. I'm too sick to travel to see my dear mother. And now the family home has sold, an estranged relative is trying to "get at" my mother to get herself in the will. What a shopping list. I thought my formative years had taught me resilience, but never in my wildest dreams (sorry Taylor) did I think things could ever get this bad. Does someone want to write a script for Hollywood?

[@iPostiPodiEatiYuri]

I've been in a similar situation, if there is light inside you there will be light at the end of the tunnel

[@rebeccahowie623]

@@iPostiPodiEatiYuri Thank you, that's a beautiful thing to say. There is one, though very dim right now, but there nonetheless. ✨️🙏

[@rebeccahowie623]

@@iPostiPodiEatiYuri P.s. I hope things are shining for you now.😊

[@therivercake871]

Hey love, going through something similar and just wanna tell my story because yours made me feel less alone. Five years ago my mentor/second mum who was the first person to ever show me real love and value unalived herself. I had depression so bad I was bedridden and lost everything - will to live, my friends, and started smoking pack of cigs a day. Tax year later and I decided to start uni at age 30 and depressed, now I’m into my 3rd year and gave getting a job a try because I thought I had healed and my husband has been supporting me. First 3 weeks of the job and my car broke down 3 times ( needed it to transport children), I’m failing uni because I ended up in hospital the first day of the job with heat stroke. My mother lashed out at me and borrowed money to get the car fixed (first thing she’s ever financially helped me with) but said I had to pay back. I can’t catch a break, it’s been 33 years of every single week someone has failed me or I have no support and fail myself. I am in a scary dark place, I feel so alone. My husband hates me and tries to argue over trivial things and he just set me off, but just gotta keep going I suppose

[@delanymom87]

Lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. Good luck to you

[@HeadCannonPrime]

It isn't possible to prepare for every eventuality. It shouldn't be about plan A OR plan B. You should strive for flexibility and liquidity of action. Don't be so locked in to one plan that your are shattered when things don't work out. Train yourself to think about what steps can be taken right now, with the situation at hand. It doesn't have to solve the whole problem right away as long as you chip away a small part at a time. Don't let perfection get in the way of progress.

[@Mhark127]

I have lots of plans for the future, I feel overwhelmed and sometimes anxious.

[@15Brig]

Start with one and be patient, your other plans will come into fruition if they are meant to come into your life, but don’t give up on them.

[@Elemblue2]

Making up alternate plans is fun. It can get to the point where you wish you could divide into multiple people just to cover more ground. Eventually, no matter how things go, your excited to tackle it with the plan you had in place. When things go really bad, its even funner to kick the bads a*s with a plan you had in hand (Or at least survive it). Theres a trick to it. A key in life is: Making the wins count. Making the losses count less. I also once heard a quote that I really felt was related: "A pro-active person is the first ingredient to a formidable foe." A large part of proactivity is hedging against possibility. Dont go with the wind. Use it to fly.

[@miguelcasasarrojo8135]

damn nice comment

[@anonymouslearner2454]

Very well put Thank you

[@sneakerbabeful]

You talk much, but say nothing.

[@briankivuti]

I needed to hear this, in this period of my life, where plan A is definitely not panning out as I'd... well, planned or hoped. But there feels a doorway in this experience, an invitation to shift into a new m.o. This feels like a piece, an important aspect to that perspective. I keep asking, what surrender looks like, which I know is one of the key ingredients I need now. This, in part, is what inner surrender looks like; knowing that life will unfold beyond what we could ever plan.

[@mollosolan]

Anxiety has made me an absolute expert at preparing for the worst outcome in everything. I have no plan A because my anxiety convinced me that no matter what I do - the worst will always happen. Most of the worst never happen, but when it does I’m never shocked or unprepared for it. It does take all the fun out of living though.

[@ollMariusllo]

i know what will happen, i know worst will happen, i laugh but it a sad laugh when it happen

[@lemonadeslices]

this is exactly how i am, too - know that you're not alone.

[@esterhudson5104]

Another one here!

[@suenorwood-evans9724]

One day at a time is the most we can cope with!

[@moonhunter9993]

wise words

[@Rose-jz6ix]

Sometimes its one hour or one minute, then after a few of these you think "pat self on shoulder, you didn't give up". Some days are easier than others.

[@moonhunter9993]

"When we make plans, the gods laugh." or something similar... Strangely, Plan B and then Plan C, D, E, F etc. tend to not only test our resolve but often throw alternatives at us which we might find a way more satisfying life in the end. Also GOALS which you keep on returning to in spite of obstacles and you keep trying to approach in different ways eventually become life missions that give the whole thing meaning and purpose.

[@jram415]

I was diagnosed with cancer 9 days before 1 of the most important tests at my dream job. I needed to pass to get off probation. I tried pushing past all the stress and sleepless nights but it didnt work. I failed and i lost my job. When it rains it pours...

[@justsomenightowl7220]

I feel you. It really does pour when it rains. I vaguely remember filling out some form and answering 10 on my happiness/contentness-with-life scale, and thinking: "There's really nothing I would change right now. I am happy with my life!". And then my cat of 13 years unexpectedly got ill and died (I had never lost a pet before). And I thought: "Wow, I guess good things aren't forever after all." A month or so later my soulmate and the love of my life took his own life. It was quite literally the worst thing that's ever happened to me. But you can't really prepare for that. Just gotta go on living, one day at a time.

[@jlvandat69]

At those times that life feels perpetually difficult, I remind myself that almost it's certainly because I need to alter my perspective, i.e., re-evaluate my expectations. If I follow through and do that, I always find relief and renewed energy. However, this is far easier said than done. Humans inherently grasp onto unrealistic expectations and unhealthy beliefs as they fight for the ever-elusive sense of security achieved by only the fortunate few.

[@rebeccahowie623]

Nothing is secure, that's for sure.

[@emmam74]

That's very well said🙏🏻

[@GeluTavi]

Thank you school of life for another crucial message. Definitely needed to hear it now.

[@bernardzsikla5640]

The thought should not be, if things go wrong, but when things go wrong. Im 58, perfect health, rarely if ever sick in my life. I also know that with a high probability that I will get something in the next 1 to 20 years and it maybe fatal. I don't want to wake up surprised about anything. Shit happens.

[@ollMariusllo]

what shit? you didnt have any health problems in 6 decades... bro, out there are people with multiple chronic disease/accidents/ acute health problems

[@bernardzsikla5640]

@@ollMariusllo I think you missed the point of this video and post. Please re video and then re read.

[@ollMariusllo]

@@bernardzsikla5640 the video it about the worst, you didnt have the worst

[@bernardzsikla5640]

@@ollMariusllo Marius, I have had 11 orthopedic surgeries and was living in my truck in the winter. I am fully aware the difference been bad and the worst. I am fully aware that the worst I still to come.

[@piplus2]

It's important to think that things may go wrong and consider our current condition as temporary. However, it's also important not to become obsessed with the idea that things will turn bad, ruining the joy of today. Things may go wrong, or may not.

[@TheRealMoonSage]

Thank you so much. Needed this at this exact moment.

[@kartikg9970]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@RangerRyke]

‘Treat life as a penitentiary and you’ll never be disappointed’ Arthur Shopenhauer

[@ArnavSinner93]

Somehow the video is just as stunning as the message! This is inspired content🎉

[@no-hustle]

An important reminder, as life only goes in one direction, and the vast majority of it remains out of our control. ALWAYS. So we can treasure what we have and do control, but appreciate this chapter is this chapter, and the next... well, it will be what it will be. Tough to think of at times, but as you say, essential we prepare ourselves for it.

[@Keira1985]

Oh I finally can come back to this channel because he is a narrator

[@mabr20]

What about expecting nothing and never being disappointed?

[@emanalkhulaidi4005]

Such an insightful video 👏

[@neworleansmade504]

Im glad i found this channel deep stuff

[@OMG21ization]

My mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer when i was 3, my older brother had rheumatic fever at 10 so now has a damaged heart, before I was born my sister died at 1 years of age from gastro enteritis and acute broncho pneumonia, when i was 8 my father died at 45 of pneumonia and acute bronchitis, 2 months later my mother died from uterine cancer, my brother and I were fostered by an older lady who befriended my dying mother at the shop my parents ran, our foster mother died after 8 months of caring for us, from peritonitis and ruptured duodenal ulcer, she was 58 years old. My brother and I were then, fostered by a husband and wife with an adult son, i was sexually abused by foster father and son, emotionally and physically abused by my foster mother. Hope kept me alive. I'm 63 years old with 3 adult children. When the worst has already happened when you're little, over and over again, hope is all there is, and the harsh reality is hard to bear. I'm known as the smiling, happy lady, friendly but reserved, a listener not a talker, it's exhausting living a lie. 😢

[@33Jenesis]

I used to worry about future thus have plan A, B, and C. I am still future oriented but I only do what i can now; like eating meals i make from scratch, putting money aside for repair and replacement, swim daily as exercise. Whatever curve balls come my way I’ll have to react quickly to dodge them or get hit right on the face.

[@sneakerbabeful]

School of Life obviously has infinite money. So nice to have such a privilaged perspective.

[@amanda014]

Thanks for the video. Would please do a video addressing the loss of imagination, thought and consciousness?

[@santandersepulveda]

tinnitus, the three friends, the failed relation.... hollysmokes I have so much in common with others for this traumas to be so encompassing as to show up on this video. I guess they tossed in there the common denominator

[@bthehermit]

I feel so seen by your videos thank you

[@natalieraulo9773]

💥 Wowonderful thank you ❤

[@stelmosfire11]

Brilliant.

[@mengmeng243]

Omg just right in time! I'm about to lpse my job

[@margo3367]

Lol. How true. “The best laid plans of mice and men”.

[@serpadre87]

So painfully true… my life was going great (family, friends, girlfriend, job, house…) until my 38yo girlfriend suddenly died to a sepsis 4 months ago, after 14 years of a wonderful relationship. I only had a plan A…

[@nizasiamehenry]

Great

[@felipeskan]

Amazing

[@freebee9172]

What about letting go and just wait for the magic to happen in our lives💫

[@itsoktocry1]

i don't even have a plan A

[@teddylvovsky8362]

I think what needs to happen will happen. It’s how universe works. G-d chooses the final outcome.

[@user-Hazel669]

Very motivational and positive video I am serious , imagining the worst senario and how to deal with it is a good thing at some point Make sure not to do it very often and remember that everything happens for a reason only Allah knows what is best for you

[@nhmooytis7058]

You can’t because the really bad things always come out of nowhere.

[@asta1011]

Life is what it is and that’s disappointment!

[@anshagarwal9826]

but how does this video answers how to prepare for the worst as the title says it's obvious and it's here with everyone.

[@SAMs3piol]

u the best

[@jaughnekow]

no plans makes me feel like a failure.

[@15Brig]

So have one…

[@jaughnekow]

i always do@@15Brig

[@nicolaiqbal6823]

No plans are not always a failure, if you are happy and content where you are. If some of the misfortunes this video alludes to, such as a sudden illness or serious accident, which left you disabled, happened, you would appreciate simple things such as the ability to talk, walk and eat independently. Enjoying the moment is fine. There can be too much planning. You see people getting stressed and bogged down planning things like house moves and holidays which are not neccessary and maybe not worth it if they cause months of stress and hassle. People plan for a golden future, but if you spend the whole time planning this, and not enjoying the here and now at all, then that future might be terminated by circumstances, then what have you got to show for your life? You see people watching sunsets or their kid's school play phone in hand, not really taking the moment in, but clamouring instead to record to enjoy on an unknown later date, which may never arrive. Plans can be great, but enjoy the here and now, as the fruition of plans may not come. My mum is terminally ill now. She has always been a worrier, planning and micromanaging every aspect of life. She says her big regret is not just enjoying her moments, now that those are numbered.

[@Sosimadhh]

May I translate your videos and download it to my channel? 🙏

[@nivek1437]

I usually have no idea what to do when my day doesn't look like It was planned. When that happen, I go mad or sad, and always I don't do anything what I want to. It's time to make a plan b

[@user-pl6xw6dk5w]

I feel you on that. Wenever my plan didn't go as I thought, i will get sad and my day will be downhill from there.

[@americius]

Relax, nothing is under control...

[@padmadevi3563]

😊

[@ljkoh20052000able]

Just be aware that worse things happens and that these are what makes us real . What ever happens, happens for a good reason

[@williamlouie569]

You should have processes because plans rarely go planned. Now I take one day at a time.

[@Syco108]

I know. Right?

[@dr.mohammadyaman3512]

Write me answers, I qm a fully functional 30 years old surgeon with a brain tumor that's not killing me but at the same time not getting out of my head,I have done my first brain surgery 2 and a half years and last weak I have started to believe that I need a second surgery, I have witnessed a lot and always feel that I could have done better but how I don't know. And I keep asking myself in my loneliness why I am hesitating to do both living and getting treated, I only work and study but what if this is the last day of my life!

[@mrnice7570]

Live every moment as if it was your last, one moment will be , make your peace with death or as I call it be packed for the journey. I wish you health, healing and happiness and longevity. Fear not but fight plenty.

[@osamaqtaitat]

Prepare to million “worst” situations in this shitty, chaotic, silly life mostly

[@kierans8635]

And I prepare how?

[@defenderofwisdom]

Hey Aspirant, if our aspirations are clashing - come together with me. Let's engage in diplomatic dialogue. We can settle challenges that come from competing aspirations. My charter calls for diplomatic solutions, balancing just needs to settle conflicts. Are you open to a peaceful solution?

[@stareye8]

Well...that was depressing......

[@Ghostbastards285]

Get tinitus or go bipolar makes me laugh so hard every time 😂

[@walidabdallaoui920]

Once a wise man said : It is what it is

[@ollMariusllo]

more like: it is what it is...

[@GordonPavilion]

@@ollMariuslloit is what it is, what it is.

[@ollMariusllo]

@@GordonPavilion an internet meme

[@macsarcule]

I think “prepare for the worst” might have been a better title. Not much “how to.” 😊

[@onursahin7970]

Actually it explains that. The thing is simply reminding yourself that your current condition is not necessarily going to last forever so don't assume that it will. This is "how" you prepare basically.

[@andyc9902]

As a bipolar I see this video as a perfect win

[@andagain21]

Geeze

[@humnum7461]

"we thought WE'D* die first...", right?

[@ItsMe-sx9ck]

Worst thing that could happen: WW3, What can I do?

[@redrosestark5983]

Are you inside my head?!

[@rebeccahowie623]

I'm convinced they are.

[@daniellibront1723]

life is just like every ferrari strategy, never plan a

[@vanminhnguyen7846]

1. pivot into: xoay vòng, 2. philanthropy: hoạt động từ thiện 3. tinnitus: ù tai, 4. bipolar: lưỡng cực 5. acutely: sâu sắc 6. adrift: trôi dạt 6.

[@vanminhnguyen7846]

on board: agree

[@vanminhnguyen7846]

underappreciated: đánh giá thấp

[@tobath921]

not helping 😅

[@bluemoon8268]

… thanks for sucking all the joy out of my morning … 😒

[@flobbertop4278]

Sorry School of Life, don’t agree with this one. ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans’ ~ John Lennon. I don’t bother with plans any more, more of a seize the day frame of mind.

[@bylynn6488]

I don’t know why but this didn’t really end up having a good message to me personally. No positive outcome. It basically said life is unpredictable and everything is temporary. I would have appreciated a little more positivity…

[@leightonolsson4846]

Keep a cupboard full of drugs to block it all out?

[@Elemblue2]

Your opening was an obvious criticism of your viewers average life plan creativity.

[@ofdeadkiller]

my plan b : kitchen knife + bottle vodka

[@kimjennielol]

✋😭

[@sonicleaves]

I can see why extinctionists and antinatalists exist.

[@gooderspitman8052]

Think the worse, that way if it should go breasts up, it will not be as bad.

[@bebe8842]

who cares? there's nothing to gain in life, even the most loved and wow celebrities they will be forgotten even if they lived WOW lives . who cares

[@daviddonnelly2700]

And how to prepare??? Appears a click bait vid title. I was hoping for some cogent advice as to how to prepare for and productively react "to the worst"!! Unfortunately I can regrettably summarize this entire vid as: 'SHIT HAPPENS'!!

[@LaurentFrangie]

Save Palestine from genocide 🇵🇸♥️

[@garrettstrong9606]

Why would someone be an atheist? The ONLY reason someone would be an atheist is if their spirit was kicked out of Heaven. An underlying hatred for God would be natural as they know their eternal destination is the Lake of Fire. “But, I’m an atheist and I was was never kicked out of ‘Heaven’”. You’re not an atheist. You’re an agnostic. More importantly you’re following the wicked teachings of evil spirits who want you in Hell with them for eternity. But a spiritual realm is foolishness to you because God doesn’t exist you’ve been told. That doesn’t stop God from still having an intense love for you. He says He wishes none would perish. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

[@DevonMiniFlicks]

There is no God.

[@AbhinavGnlu]

Ok

[@bebe8842]

😂😂😂😂

[@nicolaiqbal6823]

In case you were unaware, the School of Life is currently a very secular organisation.

[@garrettstrong9606]

@@nicolaiqbal6823 I’m aware.

[@simangelemasina-pu8qz]

Thank God for this yt chanel😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭