Doomscrolling Before the Storm
The benefits and costs of being overprepared
I'm writing this ahead of Labor Day weekend in 2026. A Friday normally reserved for making the most of a three-day weekend has been slightly derailed by the awe-inspiring and frankly frustrating Category 5 Hurricane Lowell.
The summer of 2026 has involved a lot of storm watching, with Hurricane Lala and Moke still fresh in our memories. Fortunately for most of us on Oahu, those storms amounted to power outage inconveniences and a handful of "messed up" roofs and trees.
As a self-proclaimed weather nerd, discussions about the "Super El Niño" and upcoming natural disasters have appeared on my phone more often than I would like. Although much of this activity was anticipated by meteorologists and climatologists, watching a hurricane develop in real time creates an itch that needs to be scratched every few hours.
Where is it now? Did the track change? Did it strengthen? What does the latest model show?
And then, a few hours later, I check again.
I see a similar anxiety in clients who are nearing retirement.
There is tremendous value in being prepared. But at some point, gathering more information stops making us more prepared and starts making us more anxious.
Preparation is Good
Now that we are a few storms into the year, I can confidently say that my house is fully prepared. Back in June I bought a 48-bottle case of water which Katie judged me for because one, we never drink bottled water, and two it took up all of our kitchen cabinet space.
I still remember smirking at her and saying, “It’s supposed to be an active hurricane season.” It’s hard being right all the time. (Just kidding, Katie.)
Beyond the bottled water, we have flashlights, back up batteries and cleaned out the yard. I've also learned to avoid buying yogurt or other perishables unless I'm confident they'll be consumed before the storm.
What Happens After You're Prepared?
Despite all of my preparations, I am still worried. Your mind can do funny things when everything is settled but there's still uncertainty hanging over you.
I've successfully exhausted my list of physical preparations. Now all I'm left with is my mind.
I see something similar with people on the verge of, or already in, retirement. Their financial plan is in place, but there is inevitably something else to worry about.
Is the AI bubble about to burst? Is the economy about to crash? What happens if I don’t have enough money for future healthcare needs?
These are all legitimate questions and stem from some degree of truth. But the anxiety turns the question from “Am I prepared?” to “Can I prove that nothing bad will ever happen?”
Unfortunately, no amount of preparation can ensure that nothing bad will ever happen, whether we're preparing for a storm or planning for retirement.
When You're Prepared Enough
Fortunately, there is a point where you’ve prepared enough.
As I finish writing this, I’ll probably check Hurricane Lowell’s track again. I am still looking for a cure for my constant doomscrolling.
But the water is stocked, the house is prepared and all of our plans are in place. At some point this weekend, I have to put the phone down.
Retirement planning requires a similar leap of faith. We should prepare for the risks we can anticipate and build flexibility where we can. But eventually, we have to accept that no projection can guarantee what will happen next.
Because if we get too caught up in the what-ifs, we lose track of what's happening right in front of us: the opportunity to enjoy the blue skies and calm breeze while we can.
The storms will come, and there will be future hurricanes to worry about. The goal of planning isn't to eliminate uncertainty.
It's to give us the confidence to live and thrive in spite of it.
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