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Why do some people seem calm in almost every situation while others constantly expect something to go wrong? Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo believes the answer may have a lot to do with trust. In a thought-provoking social media post, Warikoo shared his personal theory about suspicion, overthinking, and anxiety, suggesting that people who struggle to trust others may unknowingly place themselves in a permanent state of mental alertness that eventually turns into stress.
The discussion began with everyday examples that most people rarely stop to think about. Warikoo pointed out how easily humans trust complete strangers in certain situations. People accept currency notes from unknown individuals without hesitation. They install mobile applications built by developers they will never meet and allow those apps access to their phones and personal information.
Yet, according to him, the same people often become suspicious when someone around them behaves unexpectedly kindly or warmly. Warikoo reflected on how human beings possess a unique ability to trust even without direct association or familiarity. At the same time, he argued that many societies, including India, are deeply shaped by caution and suspicion from an early age.
Continuous alertness
He explained that people grow up constantly hearing warnings that something hidden or suspicious may exist beneath seemingly good situations. Over time, that mindset quietly becomes normalised. According to Warikoo, many individuals begin operating in a state of continuous alertness. They become hyper-aware of their surroundings, uncomfortable with strangers getting physically close, and doubtful of people who appear “too nice.”
He suggested that this constant suspicion may come with a psychological cost.
Ankur Warikoo's theory
Sharing what he described as a personal theory rather than a scientifically proven claim, Warikoo said he believes people who find it difficult to trust others are more likely to experience stress and anxiety in life. On the other hand, he feels those who trust more easily often appear calmer and more easy-going.
His reasoning centred around mental energy and emotional vigilance. He explained that people who naturally distrust others spend much of their time imagining worst-case scenarios. Their minds constantly analyse whether someone might cheat them, manipulate them, betray them, or take advantage of them. That continuous mental scanning, according to Warikoo, slowly trains the brain to remain in defensive mode.
He further noted that cynicism can eventually become habitual. What may begin as caution gradually turns into overthinking, and overthinking itself becomes a form of emotional self-protection. Warikoo did not claim that blind trust is always correct or that suspicion is inherently wrong. Instead, he acknowledged that there is no universal right or wrong approach when it comes to trusting people.
However, he argued that constantly defaulting to suspicion forces individuals to emotionally “pay the price” even before anything bad has actually happened. His observations quickly resonated online, especially among people who identified with the exhausting cycle of overthinking social situations, doubting intentions, and mentally preparing for betrayal before it occurs.
The post sparked broader conversations around anxiety, emotional safety, childhood conditioning, and the difficulty many people face in relaxing around others. Some users agreed with Warikoo’s theory, saying constant suspicion can become mentally draining over time. Others argued that life experiences and betrayals often force people to become cautious as a survival mechanism.
The discussion began with everyday examples that most people rarely stop to think about. Warikoo pointed out how easily humans trust complete strangers in certain situations. People accept currency notes from unknown individuals without hesitation. They install mobile applications built by developers they will never meet and allow those apps access to their phones and personal information.
Yet, according to him, the same people often become suspicious when someone around them behaves unexpectedly kindly or warmly. Warikoo reflected on how human beings possess a unique ability to trust even without direct association or familiarity. At the same time, he argued that many societies, including India, are deeply shaped by caution and suspicion from an early age.
Continuous alertness
He explained that people grow up constantly hearing warnings that something hidden or suspicious may exist beneath seemingly good situations. Over time, that mindset quietly becomes normalised. According to Warikoo, many individuals begin operating in a state of continuous alertness. They become hyper-aware of their surroundings, uncomfortable with strangers getting physically close, and doubtful of people who appear “too nice.”He suggested that this constant suspicion may come with a psychological cost.
Ankur Warikoo's theory
Sharing what he described as a personal theory rather than a scientifically proven claim, Warikoo said he believes people who find it difficult to trust others are more likely to experience stress and anxiety in life. On the other hand, he feels those who trust more easily often appear calmer and more easy-going. His reasoning centred around mental energy and emotional vigilance. He explained that people who naturally distrust others spend much of their time imagining worst-case scenarios. Their minds constantly analyse whether someone might cheat them, manipulate them, betray them, or take advantage of them. That continuous mental scanning, according to Warikoo, slowly trains the brain to remain in defensive mode.
He further noted that cynicism can eventually become habitual. What may begin as caution gradually turns into overthinking, and overthinking itself becomes a form of emotional self-protection. Warikoo did not claim that blind trust is always correct or that suspicion is inherently wrong. Instead, he acknowledged that there is no universal right or wrong approach when it comes to trusting people.
However, he argued that constantly defaulting to suspicion forces individuals to emotionally “pay the price” even before anything bad has actually happened. His observations quickly resonated online, especially among people who identified with the exhausting cycle of overthinking social situations, doubting intentions, and mentally preparing for betrayal before it occurs.
The post sparked broader conversations around anxiety, emotional safety, childhood conditioning, and the difficulty many people face in relaxing around others. Some users agreed with Warikoo’s theory, saying constant suspicion can become mentally draining over time. Others argued that life experiences and betrayals often force people to become cautious as a survival mechanism.
