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In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a hard question: what do you do when reality is showing you something you don’t want to believe?

They break down what “love reality” actually means (it’s not about enjoying it), why most “sudden” crises are built one tiny decision at a time, and how fear, denial, and catastrophizing can trap you in a mental model that makes things worse. From being stuck on the side of a mountain to the slow slide toward divorce, they show how separating thoughts from feelings, getting comfortable with discomfort, and aligning your decisions with what’s real is how you get your agency back.