Turns out that most men worry about stuff that makes little sense to worry about. The difference with men is that we are quicker to keep that stuff quiet. But just to show you that it happens, I'll give a sneak peek into my mind...
So, I'm taking the patent bar examination in a month. Passing this test is necessary in order to practice in front of the U.S. Patent Office (i.e. I don't really have a career without it). Oh yeah, and the test has a ~50% pass rate.
I took a practice test recently and didn't do that great (it is the first time I have really put in any effort). As I sit now, I'm left with a month to study...but my docket is filling up fast with work that will take that month.
Hence the fear. Here is where the irrational part comes in...
I know this stuff way better than the average bear who is about to sit for this exam. In fact, even with minimal effort I will probably be over-prepared. But, I still can't shake the what-if fear. As a result, doing bad on that practice test didn't help my daily cheerfulness yesterday...and it continues into today (and gets worse every minute I work and not study).
Then the uber-irrational slippery slope comes to play. It starts in my mind where I get fired. Then can't provide for those who depend on me. To top it off my wife decides to leave because "hey of I'm going to be poor, my husband should at least be good looking." And so on.......
Chances are that your husband, father, etc., are repressing similar things. So go easy on them the next time they have a hard day but don't express anything to you that appears to be something worthy to be in a bad mood about.
P.S. I know women do this also to an extent...but you've gotta admit, they are more open about it, or at the least you can easily perceive it and address it because it is not well hidden.
