coping with worry.

[mopandsmiff]

I’m getting quite anxious about the possibility of a disaster. All the dire warnings about AI, war with Russia, and stormy weather this winter.

It really feels to me that the question isn’t ‘if’ something happens but ‘when’, and not in 100 years but more like within the next 5.

I want to prepare, but I don’t have the money or space for the preparations that would be needed for the scariest scenarios. I read about people who have gardens full of vegetables and stockpiles of food and fuel for multiple people for several days, and stashes of cash in the house … I just can’t do that. I don’t really have the spare cash to be spending on this and even if I did, I have very limited storage space.

I am about six months into a new job but instead of feeling focused and motivated this weekend about a busy week coming up, I’m just thinking about how really I’d kind of like to quit my stressful career (that I worked hard for and enjoy in theory) and instead get a part time / low paid job that will give me time and headspace to enjoy my life and its simple pleasures while I can.

I know that sounds a bit extreme but it’s the way I am thinking. And nobody thought covid would happen (myself included- I was minimising it right up to lockdown) - but then it did.

I’m posting here because I think folks on the chat / AIBU will shout at me to stop catastrophising. I’m not doing it on purpose, or for morbid kicks. I’m also not normally an anxious type of person at all, far from it. But this sense of doom has sort of got ahold of me this weekend.

How do you guys cope with worry about the future (aspects that can’t be prepped for) and then crack on with daily life?

Honestly I rarely watch or read the news. I have barely any idea what’s going on so I can pretend to ignore it

Stop watching the news, and speak to a professional about your mental health

Well if AI wants to wipe us out or Russia wants to drop nukes no amount of preparing will save you. You will eventually run out of resources or the oxygen will be contaminated so your just delaying the inevitable. So go about your day and don't worry about it.

I hardly ever watch the news! But I did this weekend. And honestly my mental health is fine. As I said, I’m not anxious normally at all.

But now you are very anxious so your mental health situation may have changed. The doom isn’t rational or normal.

I mean I can’t argue with you - is this your approach to life? I assumed the people here on the preppers board would understand where somebody who is concerned about the future was coming from.

Okay then, thank you.

Odd response. You're question is how to cope with worry, I’m advising something may have changed with your mental health as what you are suddenly feeling isn’t normal. It’s a very sensible suggestion.

Yes, and I have thanked you for it. I’m not sure what you have found odd.

It sounded dismissive/sarcastic.

A sense of 'doom' is actually very rational, it's an instinct we have at times. It varies from person to person. Absolutely no one can tell you whether you are being rational or not as none of us have any idea of what may or may not be ahead.

🙄

Op. Sorry the replies have been most unhelpful.
I don’t really know how to cope with the worry about impending disasters. I guess it’s easy to put your head in the sand. And, it might it happen.
We should try to enjoy normal life while we can. I can’t really afford or have the space to do much prepping either.

🙄

Might not happen

Please take my reply in the same spirit that your advice was given.

Pretty much unless your a billionaire with a secret bunker that has all the mod cons to keep you going for the next century or so.
I prepped for covid as well knew it was coming months and months beforehand then it dawned on me that if it was more serious and actually killed billions that I was delaying the inevitable. Been much happier since.

My advice was genuine, sudden onset of doom and anxiety just this weekend that’s making you consider leaving your job as you can’t see hope for the future is a worry.

I think that prepping does help with anxiety, or at least it helps me, a bit. I realise things go completely tits up then no amount of prepping can save us. On the other hand, if we’re looking at a few days or weeks of no power or limited water then I think a bit of prepping is a good idea. I have been inclined to do this before, but I’m doing it seriously now.

I'm sorry you're feeling so worried. I think it's healthy to be able to pay enough attention to the news to know what's going on, but it's unsettling too.

I've been prepping lightly for years. At first I used to worry a lot about whatever particular thing seemed to be next on the horizon, especially when my dc were tiny. It was that worry, caused by knowing we had young children but nothing at all as a buffer, that first made me take action, after all.

Eventually it all feels much less immediate. The way I think of it is that I'm trying to be prepared in the context of my normal life. I like knowing we've always got a small buffer in, but I'm not waiting day by day thinking any minute now I'm going to have to use it. I just live my life normally.

Also, I'm not under the illusion that anything I can do will protect us from a truly major disaster that affects us directly, so I don't try to think about that. I think in terms of making a period of disruption go more smoothly, and hoping it won't last too long. I can't control the outcome of a complete catastrophe by doing this, so I don't really think about those scenarios (nuclear war, say).

Basically, the odds are overwhelmingly high that any one individual week coming up will be normal, even though the odds are also significantly high that some disruption or other will affect us all at some point. So I plan my life for both, if that makes sense.

Are you enjoying your new job? Just wondering if that is part of the issue.

As for the rest of it - I only have limited space and budget. I do a big shop the weekend after payday and spend most of that weekend cooking main meals for the coming month (it's mostly just me unless DD is back from
uni), so freezer is full. Admittedly a bugger if power goes but good if something 'just' buggers up food supply chains or the weather is appalling.

I have a stash in the cupboard under the stairs but it's fairly basic - a couple of bags of rice and pasta, tinned beans, tomatoes, chickpeas, black beans, potatoes and veg; instant mash; porridge oats; cup a soups; tinned meals - curry, chilli, ravioli, meatballs etc were probably the most expensive bits; tinned and dried fruit, trail mix and bread mix. I made sure to buy things I'd definitely eat and have actually used some stuff already as all of it's good to bulk stuff out as much as eat on its own.

To be honest I did a shop for it in one go when Trump invaded Iran as I'd run my supplies right down. I set myself a budget of £100 and put it on a credit card because I was freaking out a bit.

It's easy enough to do it gradually though, use BOGOF or 3 for 2 offers.

I csn get a bit like this if im on social media or watch the news so I try not to. I think if you prepare a little you might feel more in control. So a few tins of extra food with each food shop. A bottle of.water each week to store. Maybe buy a gas camper stove to cook on, some battery powered lights. Not all in one go but build up a small kit.
Maybe if you feel more in control you will worry less.

I think with the news as it is at the moment it's quite natural to have some level of anxiety about the future. We are bombarded with a lot of negative information which is hard to avoid. Definitely reduce your consumption of it so you aren't constantly stoking that anxiety.

Personally prepping has helped me with anxiety as I feel I'm doing something constructive (even though you can't prep for every eventuality). Just do a little here and there as others have suggested. We don't know what's coming so it's best to carry on with your normal routine, I believe.

All of your fears are valid. But I have a Biology degree specailising in the environment and im a ex programmer. Neither global warming or AI killing us all keep me awake at night. Because although either could kill us soon, it might not and I can't control or stop either possibility.

I'm currently prepping for power and water cuts and anything like covid. It takes some worry away.

I'd set a realistic target that doesn't stress you out. Like buying a long life staple food each week. We eat 1.kg of pasta a week. So I buy another 1.5kg every week until I have 4 weeks spare then stop and rotate. That costs me £2 a week. Same for tinned tomatoes. Buy 2l of water a week and put in the bottom of a wardrobe or under kick boards. Buy a head torch and a pack of matches. Then your pretty much prepped and can add things like medicines first aid kit.

I'm not prepping for world war three. But if covid and lockdwn happened again I know I have zero reason to rush to a shop. Which in turn makes me feel calm. Which is the idea. It's not for end of days. It's breathing room buffer.

There's a lot you can do without spending a single penny.
For example, I used to be a huge coffee addict to the point I'd get headaches if I didn't get it. I've reduced my consumption to one a day so I won't get withdrawal symptoms if I have to be without.
Same goes for smoking or any other addictions.
Trying to keep as fit and healthy as possible is another one.
Practice skills such as campfire building, and try cooking on one. Learn about foraging and edible and medicinal plants. Learn to ride a bike if you can't Etc etc.
At the end of the day, preps will only last so long but skills etc will stay with you.
There's a lot of comfort in doing those things.
Also, planning is free. Know where your important documents are to grab if you need to. Try to make a community/ network of friends. Know your local area. Know where you will head if x happens, or if y happens. Etc etc.
You will feel very empowered by thinking what you can do.