Nothing bad happens.

That’s the point.

Life stays good.

​

Busy.
Full.

​

You keep an eye on things.

Just in case.

 

What do you tell yourself?

This is fine
I’m just being careful
I don’t want to tempt fate
Things could change quickly

​

​So you stay ready.

​

You plan ahead.

​

You brace for problems that haven’t arrived.

You postpone enjoyment until later.

When things are clearer.
When it feels earned.

​

​

Time passes.

​

​

The feared moment doesn’t come.

Neither does the imagined reward.

​

You realise you’ve been living slightly ahead of yourself.

Watching the horizon
instead of where you are.

​

You tell yourself:

This is just how life works
I’ll relax once I know more
It’s better to be prepared
I don’t want to get complacent

​​​

Nothing breaks.

​

Nothing shifts.

​

The years are still marked.

Birthdays.
Seasons.
Small celebrations.

You were present for them.

​

​

Mostly.

​

​

The question has changed.

​

It is no longer:
What if something happens?

​

It is now:
Where was I, while nothing ever really did?

​

There was still time.

​

​

It passed quietly, while you were waiting.

 

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​