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Original poster

Is anyone NOT feeling anxious about world events?

142 replies

youhadmeatjello · 01/03/2022 08:16

Just curious. My anxiety is out of hand at the moment so I feel like everyone must be terrified and full of dread also, but wondered if that’s actually the case?

OP posts:

GrandRapids · 01/03/2022 10:22

I don't think anyone would be feeling particularly anxious had he not brought the nuke 'threat' to the fore. That is what's terrifying people

Comedycook · 01/03/2022 10:23

I'm not anxious. I'm very upset to see what's happening in Ukraine but I'm not personally worried at all.

Deadringer · 01/03/2022 10:23

No. Like pps i am very upset about what is happening, but aside from supporting the Red Cross and similar charities there is nothing i can do to help the situation. All i can do is thank my lucky stars that i can keep my own family safe and happy. I am keeping up with the news but not obsessing over it, i have more pressing (to me) concerns closer to home, with a dying mother and huge debts, which are likely to get worse with rising fuel prices etc.

Billandben444 · 01/03/2022 10:32

I think only the utterly clueless would not be worried at the moment re climate change and the war.
Let's hope this is the only personal attack on an otherwise polite and well-reasoned thread.

NETSRIK · 01/03/2022 10:34

I can't worry about stuff beyond my control. It is pointless. I'm desperately desperately sad that one man's desperation to own the world is causing all this but me worrying about it will make no difference to the outcome.

tinytemper66 · 01/03/2022 10:39

Well my son may have to go east as he is in the RAF. I am more concerned he will be deployed after a short time home from another very long deployment.
Why worry? There is nothing we can do to stop Putin per se.
I will donate items and money to the Ukranian charities in the coming days.

If things escalate my feelings may change but for now I remain calm and carry on with my day.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 01/03/2022 10:46

Me, I am very upset about what is happening in Ukraine, but I worried a lot about nuclear war in the 1980s and it did not help.

I have learnt not to worry about things which are beyond my control.

Hbh17 · 01/03/2022 10:49

Me. There is no point in worrying about things I can't control. (Altho, of course, I feel sympathy for the people directly affected).

Mamamia7962 · 01/03/2022 10:58

BillandBen - People can understand that we live in worrying times without it dominating their day to day lives.

Some of the threads over the last few days where people are terrified and their anxiety is through the roof, not eating, sleeping, crying, are not normal reactions. For those people the worst thing to do is watch the news and constantly look at social media regarding the Ukraine.

Everything needs to be balanced.

Mamamia7962 · 01/03/2022 11:01

BillandBen - Sorry that wasn't meant for you, that was in reply to MsTSwift.

Beechview · 01/03/2022 11:03

No not anxious but incredibly sad. World leaders are all depressing and awful. I have roots in a country that’s very affected by conflict over many years. I have friends from Iran and Bosnia and have heard horrible and frightening stories of first hand tragic experiences due to conflict and war.

User7497521 · 01/03/2022 11:04

No, I have no control over it.

DoorLion · 01/03/2022 11:25

@User7497521

No, I have no control over it.

Those who say they don't worry about things they can't control, how do you manage that? I don't find that worry/fear is a tap that can be turned on and off depending on how logical it is to be worried or afraid of something (otherwise, for example, I wouldn't be scared of going upstairs by myself after reading a horror story, as I don't believe in the supernatural) but so many people have this response that it seems most people are able to do this?

AffIt · 01/03/2022 11:45

No. I am sad and angry for the people of Ukraine and they have my support, but anxious? I think it would be extraordinarily arrogant of me to be anxious in a situation like this.

I'm generally quite a pragmatic person, though: these are events I cannot control, so getting worried about them would be a waste of energy which would be better directed elsewhere.

itstimeforme · 01/03/2022 11:53

I am veering between great sadness for those in the Ukraine and fear at the thought of nuclear war here. I am normally quite calm and measured but this has got under my skin and I have a feeling of dread in my stomach. I'm working on accept what you can't control.

fairgame84 · 01/03/2022 12:05

@DoorLion
I think its a compartmentalisation thing. I think about it, realise it's not something I can do anything about and stick in a box in my mind.
I think it came from when I used to work in A&E and I would go from a really tragic death to then seeing someone with a sniffle. I had to put the experience in a box in my mind and deal with what was in front of me.

MrsDThomas · 01/03/2022 12:09

No. Absolutely not. I don’t let it worry me. I focus on happy things.

SockFluffInTheBath · 01/03/2022 12:10

Those who say they don't worry about things they can't control, how do you manage that? I don't find that worry/fear is a tap that can be turned on and off

It takes practice. I used to worry myself sick and my younger self would be digging a bunker right now. It’s not healthy or feasible to carry everything like a baby and you don’t need to. Worrying changes nothing. If you can do something useful then do it. Worrying is not a constructive process.

Original poster

youhadmeatjello · 01/03/2022 12:13

Thanks so much for all your polite, measured responses. It’s really helpful in putting things into perspective.
One thing I struggle with is how cross I get with myself when I’m in an anxiety loop because I know it’s self indulgent, especially when things actually aren’t on our doorstep right now.
Of course I have enormous empathy for Ukraine and its people and am doing what I can to help in any way I can.

Yesterday was a real low point for me I had a real feeling of impending doom and dread and just thought what’s the point in doing anything? Today I’ve tried to start a few projects to keep my mind busy. I don’t think it helps that I’m recovering from Covid and feeling very run down so can’t go far so end up stuck at home endlessly reading the news and mumsnet.

OP posts:

User7497521 · 01/03/2022 12:13

@DoorLion, I don't know, I just can't get worked up about it in a worry sense, it's very far removed from normality, I'm also quite old and don't have any young DC to worry about (DS is 30) which probably makes a difference.

AmberGer · 01/03/2022 12:14

I'm overloaded with worry going on in my own life right now. My dad is seriously ill and my ds is undergoing lots of medical examinations to get to the route of his multiple problems, I'm worried about work etc. Other family members.
I am worried about the Ukraine situation but as I have enough on my plate already it's just in the back of my mind rather than the front.

PrimroseTheSmooth · 01/03/2022 12:15

Those who say they don't worry about things they can't control, how do you manage that? I don't find that worry/fear is a tap that can be turned on and off

There are lots of practical things you can do- limit time online, no doom-scrolling, don't watch the news etc. Obviously in an ideal world it's good to stay informed but if it's affecting you negatively, better not.

Oblomov22 · 01/03/2022 12:16

Nope. Wasted emotion anxiety. Achieves nothing. Please get help from your GP.

Original poster

youhadmeatjello · 01/03/2022 12:17

@Oblomov22 I’ve spoken to my GP today, I’m going in tomorrow. I think I’ll end up going back on medication. Unfortunately my anxiety was well managed and then something triggered it recently and then the invasion happened and it’s become the perfect focus/outlet.

OP posts:

spleencoffin · 01/03/2022 12:18

I find reading a great comfort. Fiction, escapism

Exercise - get out in nature and be present

Get off your phone for spells

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