Social Question

janbb's avatar

Would someone saying “You got this” help if you were anxious about something?

Asked by janbb (62878points) March 17th, 2022

Not something I say but I hear it a lot, mainly on TV. Just wondering if people see that as helpful affirmation or invalidating of one’s feelings.

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15 Answers

canidmajor's avatar

I have always thought of it as encouraging, if said with positive conviction.

Inspired_2write's avatar

I believe that it is encouraging to hear as it is in effect stating that you have confidence in that person to find whats right for themselves.

chyna's avatar

Depends on the situation. If I’m afraid I won’t get a job I interviewed for or pass a test I took, yes it’s helpful and appreciated. Sometimes others know my capabilities better than I do.
To tell me this when I am at the end of life with some incurable cancer, it’s not helpful.

Forever_Free's avatar

For me it depends on who is saying it. If they are someone that actually knows the difficulty and the anxiety, then Yes it would help.

ragingloli's avatar

Not if I was about to commit suicide.

zenvelo's avatar

Not an idiom I use, but when I have heard it, it is in the context of reassuring someone who doubts themself.

LadyMarissa's avatar

In my opinion it’s saying…it’s your problem & I don’t really care, so let’s move on to something else!!!

flutherother's avatar

In the context of feeling anxious being told “you got this” isn’t supportive and isn’t what you want to hear. “We got this” would be better.

smudges's avatar

I’ve been told this a few times in different situations and yes, it’s been helpful, but only if we’ve been discussing the situation and they’ve been encouraging throughout. But to simply respond with it when I confess that I’m nervous about something important, I’d have to say it probably wouldn’t increase my confidence.

P.S. It should actually be ”You’ve got this”.

janbb's avatar

@smudges I agree grammatically but I’ve only heard it said the other way. And I also know it’s said to show support but I also feel it could be dismissive of anxiety.

filmfann's avatar

Back in the day, I was a master of my craft. I could perform miracles with the technology we were installing.
There came a point when I began making small misjudgments. I recognized I had lost a step, and it would get progressively worse. I lost all confidence in myself.
So there was a minor planning crisis, and my boss asked me to come give advice. I told her I wasn’t sure I was up to it, and she laughed. Hard.
That laugh totally restored my confidence. I went to the meeting, and showed the skill that built my reputation.
I owe it all to my boss showing confidence in me.

Kardamom's avatar

It is most likely meant to be helpful, but I really dislike this term, because it often doesn’t take into consideration what is actually happening with the struggling person.

It’s more like someone just saying “take care” as a quick thing to say, rather than helping the person, or really being supportive. It’s like a stranger in a store saying, “How’s it going?” It’s neutral at best.

Dutchess_III's avatar

^^^ Like “thoughts and prayer”?

Great story @filmfann!

JLeslie's avatar

Nope. Just sounds like another trendy saying that everyone is repeating and means little to nothing to me.

raum's avatar

I think it’s just a new version of “You can do it!”

Which can vary quite a bit depending on delivery.

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