CAROLYN HAX

(Nick Galifianakis for The Washington Post)

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By Carolyn Hax

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Adapted from a recent online discussion:

Hi, Carolyn:

I'm waiting for some test results to come back. I feel anxious and am dwelling on how I will handle it if the worst occurs. Many people probably go through this holding pattern at some point. How can one deal with it? I could use some rational perspective here, before my weekend is ruined!

D.C.

If you do get bad news, what is it that you'll wish you had done before you got your bad news?

There are always limits to the forced-imagination answers -- including, for example, the career-exploring "What job would you want if you won Powerball tomorrow?" (A: margarita taster). But they can help you focus when your thoughts are all over the place.

If you'll wish you'd traveled the world, then you're asking a bit too much of a weekend, but you can explore one of the mountains, waterways, amusements, historic sites or cities within a few hours' drive of Washington. If it's to spend time with people you love, then see whom you can see on short notice, or just call to say hi. And so on.

None of this will stop you from worrying. It can give you purpose, though, which has a way of moving the clock.

And, hey, good luck.

Hola, Carolyn:

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