I used to have full conversations in my head that never actually happened.

They were usually triggered by an upcoming conversation or meeting. Other times, it was a random thought like, “What if I run into that person?”

I’d play it all out in my head.
What I’d say.
What they’d say.
How I’d respond.

And it was almost never positive.

It was usually someone tied to conflict or a past bad experience. A conversation I anticipated going sideways.

At the time, I truly believed I was being prepared.

I told myself I was getting clear, ready, and able to stand up for myself. Responsible. Thoughtful. On top of things.

But here’s what actually happened.

I mentally lived through the entire conversation before it ever occurred. My body reacted as if it was real. Tension. Stress. Anxiety.

By the time I was done, I felt exhausted. Like the conversation had already happened.

Then I’d have the real conversation.

And almost every time, it was nothing like what I imagined. Not even close.

That’s when it clicked.

I wasn’t preparing. I was mind-reading.

My brain was deciding what the other person was thinking without any real evidence, then creating an emotional experience around those assumptions. My body paid the price for something that didn’t exist.

I realized I was putting myself through stress and anxiety for no reason. Worse, it was setting me backward.

Today, when my mind starts rehearsing a conversation, I stop it.

I tell myself, “Don’t do this to yourself.”
This is mind-reading.
This is fortune-telling.
You don’t know how this will go.

The proof is simple. I’ve been wrong about it more times than I’ve been right.

So I save my energy. I let the conversation happen when it actually happens. And I respond in real time instead of reacting to something imaginary.

If you do this too, nothing is wrong with you. Your brain is just trying to protect you.

The key is not letting it run the show.

If this resonates and you want help interrupting patterns like this, you can explore
Internal Dialogue Mastery

Let’s Connect
If this story resonated with you and you want support learning how to work with your thoughts instead of fighting them, you can reach out via email at Vinnie@LifeCoachVinnie.com or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram.

About Vinnie Merz
​Vinnie Merz is a life coach who helps high performers take control of their anxiety and achieve their goals. With a background in law, real estate, and state government, he has led legal teams, real estate groups, and teams within state government while running multiple businesses. Having personally navigated the pressure of leadership and entrepreneurship while managing anxiety, Vinnie helps professionals build clarity, confidence, and calm without feeling controlled by their thoughts.