To think there are just too many things to worry about

[ritalinda]

Am I the only one who frequently feels overwhelmed by the number of serious things to worry about?

I'm not actually a very anxious person and I don't honestly dwell on things much but it just seems too much nowadays.

Climate change (I mean, this is the big one)
Covid/variants/another pandemic
War Russia/Ukraine
Money - esp with energy bills increasing
Day to day worries about work, parenting etc
Getting older:
Individual worries eg I'm waiting for results of health tests
Parental illness
General loom of death
Young children - various worries about their future

I could go on obviously... I know this sounds woe is me and I don't mean that I just feel like wow, it's a lot.

I'm the same OP. Always something to worry about and have sleepless nights. Doesn't help with the storms recently!

No

Doll let things you can't change till off your back and the things you can do your best. Such as climate change, lower your carbon footprint etc

*dont

Yes, I've always been a worrier but just recently it has been at an all time high.

I hear you. You are probably younger than me because you do not have on your list supporting young adults who have had their mental health impacted by covid lockdowns.

Carpe Diem.

Or another one, woman and the sense of what a woman is, being eroded by the desire to appease trans people.

Sorry OP, I'll shut up now.

Learn to only worry about things within your control.

Change the things you can and ignore the things you can't.

Well I don't worry about the top 3 of your list because realistically anything I do won't directly change them. Let's be honest.

As for the others, it is hard. I hate being a grown up sometimes and navigating 'grown up stuff'. I'm 41 FFS and I'm not equipped to deal with it!

The only way to deal with it without going mad is to focus on what is in front of you that day. I often feel like I'm lurching from one disaster to the next. But I'd drive myself mad worrying about everything all of the time.

I think it's important to realise which bits are within your control and which bits aren't. Some worry is useful in that it spurs us into action (saving for retirement, reducing carbon footprint, giving to charity, looking after our health). Beyond that, it's important to accept that you have little or no control over the rest, and then it's just a case of being grateful for what you have, staying present to what is, and taking each day as it comes.

I'm the same op

I'm with you OP.
Half the things you listed and I have this creeping worry about my 7mo DS' development. I'm shattered physically and mentally so the mere thought of him having any kind of disability and there being no real end to intense levels of care is terrifying me.

It's all too much.

100% agree OP
I'm dealing with 2 teens with MH problems, trying not to let it impact my 6 year old, and working.
I feel like I'm constantly keeping the plates spinning

I think it's important to realise which bits are within your control and which bits aren't.

This. And consciously direct your energy to the former.

I thought this would be a list of what you group under ‘day to day worries’ - you are NBU!! The worries of ‘day to day’ are enough for me, there’s no room on my worry list for climate change or loom of death; the day to day stress takes up all space!! Xx

I don’t let myself worry about the things I can’t change. I’m not religious at all but kind of like that “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” prayer.
Realistically, there’s nothing you can do about the war. Wash your hands often and don’t expose yourself more than necessary while continuing to live a full life. Lower your carbon footprint as much as possible. Find the small pleasures in life and make the most of your time and know that when you age you’ll be ready to accept that you’ve had a fulfilling life etc.
I don’t mean that to sound patronizing but I know I worry less about the other stuff when I take control of the elements that I can change. I am an expert procrastinator, and do find that I can’t sleep at night if I have lots of the little things piling up (arranging Dr’s appointments, work stuff, sorting bills etc) so I purge those every so often.
I’m no lifestyle guru but it works for me

I hear you op I have exactly the same worries.
No advice I’m afraid, just wanted you to know you are not alone.

Yes with you

Glad I'm not alone but also that's shit so many others feel the same. I do tend to focus on what I can control but sometimes it all feels so oppressive

No, I don't worry about things I can't control. I used to but it sucked the life out of me and I didn't want to live that way. I saw a life coach who helped me put things in perspective

I felt like this until I had several life saving operations. Now I live more for the day

I'm very laid back by nature and good at not worrying about things I can't control.

However, we are living in an age of instability and I'm not surprised people feel on edge with living standards being squeezed, climate change now impacting us etc, the ongoing threat of covid.

I feel frazzled. When I look at the last 6 months, we've had 4 episodes of covid in our household meaning almost a month of isolating and missed education. Our childcare has closed due to illness, covid. Massive staff shortages. Storms - there are floods round my workplace today, the petrol shortages if last summer etc. I can't do anything about it but I'm still frazzeled dealing with it!!

I’m the same OP and I think I’ve got into a habit of worrying. If I find myself having a carefree moment I invariably ruin it by actively thinking of something to worry about. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night. I’ve no idea how to get out of this pattern. I’ve given up alcohol and caffeine, I exercise and stay fit but nothing makes any difference.

Theres no point worrying about thing that might have, because you end up suffering twice

Same here. Seems like a lot of people are feeling that way.
I'm ok while I'm busy working, dealing with the business of the day. But I have moments of rising panic every day, any time I rest, especially in the evening. It's just all too much. It's not just the continually escalating responsibilities, it's the total lack of downtime/fun/relational support.
I don't have any answers, I just try to keep going.