Rumination

Published December 29, 2025

rumination
perfectionism
control
self-criticism
fear of mistakes

Anton checked the email for the fourth time. Three paragraphs to a client. Routine approval. He read it over, changed a word, changed it back.

Sent. A second later, he was checking if it went through.

It did.

He opened his sent folder. Read it again. Found a phrase that now seemed harsh. Or did it? He couldn’t tell. He imagined the client reading it. Frowning. Thinking - what an idiot.

He texted his wife: “Do you think this sounds okay?” - and sent her a screenshot.

She replied: “Yeah, it’s fine. Again?”

He didn’t respond.

He opened the email once more. Maybe he should send a clarification? No, that would be weird. Or would it?

By lunch, he still hadn’t started his main work. The report that would have taken two hours sat untouched. Instead - three drafts he was afraid to send, and a news feed he’d fallen into while “resting” from the tension.

That evening, his wife asked: “How was your day?”

- Exhausted, he said.

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