fter my recent trip to Pairi Daiz in Belgium (if the words 'shoebill stork' have any meaning to you have a look at the video below) I was driving home from the airport, late at night full of trepidation, almost bordering on fear. Why? Because my partner hadn't seen the messages I'd sent over the previous few hours and I became absolutely convinced that something terrible must have happened. My mind quickly jumped to the question: how would I cope with whatever horror I was heading towards? (Spoiler alert: there's a happy ending!) But it got me thinking – why do we always imagine a worst case scenario? Why are hard times, difficult conversations and losses always more easily accessible in our memories than the equal number of happy days and life affirming experiences? Are we programmed to think this way? The answer is surprisingly simple. Yes, we are. For most of human history, remembering danger was far more important and useful than remembering a fun afternoon or a great conversation. Those people who noticed threats survived, those who ignored them often didn't. So our minds are very good at holding onto difficult experiences, embarrassing moments, painful memories and worst-case scenarios because they teach us to deal with them (or how to avoid them in the future) – we don't learn any life saving information from an amazing holiday. Unfortunately, that means many of us end up believing that life contains more bad than good simply because the difficult moments are easier to recall. The lows are more dramatic than the highs and we often totally forget the long periods of time when life just trundles on with nothing remarkable to earmark it. As I pulled into the driveway that evening, convinced I was about to be greeted by some terrible news, I discovered the truth was a bit less dramatic. A phone on mute. No emergency. No disaster. Just an oversight. Just a vivid reminder that our minds are often far better at imagining danger than predicting reality. And perhaps that's worth remembering the next time your imagination starts filling in the blanks.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/16/nhs-latest-solution-to-childhood-obesity-hypnosis/

When you have a few minutes (more than two, less than five!) spare please have a look at these FAQ videos and let me know what you think. Useful? More detail needed? All and any feedback much appreciated. https://web.facebook.com/OutofChaosTherapy

https://web.facebook.com/events/1428721479005481 In this fun and informative session, we’ll explore why improving your physical and mental health often feels harder than it should — and what really works instead. If you know what to do but have struggled to stick to it… or if you don’t even know where to start and feel it might be too late, this is for you. Charlie will share simple, realistic ways to move your body and build strength in a way that feels good — whether that’s at home or in the gym — and bust a few myths along the way. And I’ll explain why your mind can sometimes get stuck in familiar patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, and how to work with it rather than against it to create lasting change. No matter where you’re starting from, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to feel better in both your mind and body — and how to begin. And for attendees there will be a special offer so don't miss out!