Weekly Prompt #1: What worries tend to dominate your thoughts?
Hello everyone and I hope you are all having a bit easier week. How are you all feeling?
I am starting the Prompt Series with the goal can share our thoughts and supporting each other by responding to the comments and thoughts in this thread.
Today's prompt is: What worries tend to dominate your thoughts? How do you try to cope with feeling anxious?
I know how worries can be worrisome and draining for one's well-being. But please know you are not alone and you have all of us here to listen to and support. Take a moment to share your thoughts and discuss with or support others as well.
Also, you can join the Anxiety Group Support Chat every Monday and Tuesday.
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Worries about my health tend to be the strongest with me.
@cafedaydreams I can understand why health worries would feel concerning. Your health is so important, and it's normal to feel anxious about the unknown. Even though the future can feel uncertain, taking your steps to focus on what you can control may be helpful. Please know we are all here with you to listen and support. you are not alone in this. <3
@ASilentObserver
Worries about money. Worries about keeping the wrong people closer than my friends. Worries about the things I've already lost. Worries about hurting people on the inside without meaning to.
I don't know how I cope. I have to keep moving in my thoughts and actions. If I stay in one worry or regret too long, I'm too predictable for it to keep coming at me.
@Torean I understand it can feel overwhelming to have so many worries and concerns weighing on your mind. But focusing on the things you have already lost or might lose will only make the worry feel bigger. Keep taking it one day, one moment at a time. You've got this. We are all here with you to listen to and support.
For me it’s looking at or interacting with people in general. I know it’s strange to be scared to look at people, but when you have particular things that make you seem not human or like normal, it just fills me with anxiety.
whenever I talk to people they don’t make eye contact or look away when talking to me. People always make false assumptions of me because of how I look but not how I am on the inside.
For me it’s always stress inducing interacting in general, because I pre-emptively anticipate what they will do and it is 90% correct.
My method though for me is to breathe and like look at something I really like. Breathing helps collect my thoughts and helps sets my mind straight during a stressful situation, even if it’s only temporary. Just slow deep breaths.
Then I also look at something I really like, like cats. I pull up a quick video and hear those cute meows~
I think my problem is the muscle memory I have from being in those same situations and seeing the same reactions from people so many times. I’ve come to terms with how I am physically, and I don’t really care anymore about how I’m seen because I know who I am. It’s not a “past” problem but the constant muscle memory that affects my present if that makes sense. But I am for sure getting better every day.
@Raisin977 I appreciate you opening up and sharing this vulnerable part of yourself with me. Social anxiety is difficult to deal with, but I'm glad you have found coping strategies that help. Focusing on your breath and the things you enjoy are great ways to find calm in stressful moments. You should be proud of the progress you've made in accepting yourself. Keeep taking your small steps. We are all here with you to listen to and support.
Right now all my worries are financial. To cope I journal and ask myself why I am worried and how do I solve it. Sometimes this works sometimes not. I just try my hardest to work as many as hours as possible and try to figure out solutions.
@Savi90 I understand worrying about finances can feel overwhelming. Journaling to gain perspective and finding solutions is a useful approach. Focusing on the strengths and resources you have, as well as maintaining hope, can help ease worries during difficult times. You got this as well as you have all us here to listen to and support. you are not alone in this
Thank you!
Health seems to be a big one for me recently. I get a lot of anxiety when something feels a little bit or unwell and it can sometimes be weeks of agony. It's unfortunate that I can't fully afford or trust some medical professionals, and I often resort to google ( which can be a big hit or miss )
I just try to give myself the space to be scared, and the time to relax and ultimately hope for the best.
@doeji I can understand feeling anxious when facing health uncertainties and not being able to fully trust medical care. It's wise that you give yourself space to feel your emotions, while also practicing self-care. Difficult experiences often pass, even if the outcome is not what we had hoped for. I appreciate your strength and resilience. Keep taking your small steps <3
Same with me lately. I never was like that growing up but it’s like something changed all of a sudden. Had a couple of panic attacks and now every time something feels off or hurts I think I’m dying. It’s like every other day I’m convinced I’m having a heart attack or have cancer or a tumor. It all started like 3 years ago a few months after I had Achilles tendon surgery. Has anyone ever heard of anesthesia causing anxiety!?
@FootballHead93, I don't know about anesthesia causing anxiety. However I do understand and connect to one part. Its a struggle to remind myself we are not having an attack during a panick attack
@ASilentObserver
What worries tend to dominate your thoughts?
I'm not good enough.
I can't do this/that/anything.
Life is too hard.
I've become too old to succeed.
My flaws are too much.
It's too late to change.
What will they think or say or do?
I'll destroy my reputation.
Nobody loves me.
There's too much to cope with.
Why is no one or nothing helping?
No matter where I go there I am.
How do you try to cope with feeling anxious?
Fight against it
Eat chocolate until I am chocolate
Watch YouTube shorts
Play games on my phone
Slam my door over and over
Beat the crap out of my bed
Yell to release the energy
Swear like a sailor in a storm
Eat ice cream
Tell my body it's the death of me
Cultivate 'resting gargoyle face'
Try help others
Stress out; wallow in despair
Call a helpline
Journal
Reframe
Declutter
Budget
Learn more about something
Get curious instead of cuckoo
Watch YouTube videos
Movie night with snacks
Do a meditation
Skincare
Oral hygiene
Change my clothes
Improve/practice listening skills
Engage in a hobby or interest
Write in my gratitude journal
Enjoy being alone
Study my DBT or other workbook
Reach out to an old friend
Run from it - busy work
Regret what I compulsively do/did
Burn sage
Play guitar and sing
Vacuum like a person possessed
Glare at a stain on the rug
Wonder what matters
Lose my ***
Spiral into a blame-shame cycle
Plot a way to ban enriched flour
Consider becoming a dictator
Realize my attention span is gone
Get distracted without remorse
Guzzle water
Fill my fridge with healthy food
Likewise pantry
Go crazy; buy paper towel
Be sane; buy toilet paper
Try remember there's no end
Tidy my home
Forgive those with terrible jokes
Likewise terrible style
See others as capable, interesting
Examine my motives
Write
Join a support group
Try something new
Eat chocolate ice cream
Sleep as much as I want
Spend an extra hour in the shower
Choose either being right or happy
Hang up the phone on myself
Cook or bake something
Hijack my peace hijacker
Tell myself 'this too will pass'
Forget 'this too will pass'. Spaz out
Pull cards
Go find a cool tree. Visit it often.
Have some houseplants
List goals
People watch at a cafe
Hunt for a good book
Read a book in a cafe
RAOK
Take things with a grain of salt
Switch from table salt to pink salt
Get too salty
Try a new hair cut, style or colour
Trim nails once they reach talons
Donate something
Just take a whole day off
Plan a vacation or getaway
Eat chocolate with ice cream
Accept or allow help
Set and reinforce boundaries
Listen to a podcast
Take a chance
@Dallady I understand those worries and anxieties can feel overwhelming. Please know that you are not alone, and there is always hope and support. Remember your strengths and accomplishments; you have overcome so much already.
It sounds like you have many strategies to help care for yourself during these times, which is wonderful. Focusing on self-care, maintaining boundaries, and doing small acts of kindness for others are all great ways to redirect anxious energy into something positive. Keep exploring what works for you - you've got this!
@ASilentObserver
@ASilentObserver
Hi, ASO,
What worries tend to dominate your thoughts?
How do you try to cope with feeling anxious?
1. worries that tend to dominate have to do with driving to alabama with my elderly cat and my car breaking down. I also worry about finding the money to go to school.
2. I think about the worst case scenario and prepare myself for it.
@purpleTree4652 I can understand why worries about transportation issues and finances would cause you so much distress and anxiety. Those are very valid concerns, but dwelling on worst-case scenarios can be overwhelming.
Maybe you can try picturing what you want to go right. Maybe seeing yourself arriving in Alabama safely with your cat happily purring by your side. Or, succeeding in your education and achieving your goals. Do you think something like this where you focus on the positive is helpful?
Please know we are all here with you to listen to and support. You got this <3
@ASilentObserver
I do picture the positive on occasion.
But I read something recently that said to write down what worries me. Then imagine the worst case scenario and work out how you would handle it. It has helped me a lot. For instance, I looked at the route I will drive to my new address and saw that there are plenty of car rental places along the route. So I know that if my car breaks down, I can simply rent a car and continue driving to my new address. Then I can deal with my broken down car later. My car has repeated major issues, so planning what to do while driving with my elderly cat, and all my important worldly posessions, while staying ahead of the movers in their truck is very important.
I recently took my car to get serviced and have it in the best shape possible, to my knowledge.
Lastly, I checked with the new apartment and the movers to see what would happen if my car broke down on the way, and I was delayed by as much as one day.
All this helped me work out what could go wrong and what I needed to do to stay on schedule. I credit myself with forethought and preparation. As far as I know and am able, I'm prepared. Since I have no one I can call to help me, I've done well with my plans.
All that being said, I will practice picturing my plans working out. :)
@purpleTree4652 I can understand the anxiety and worry that comes with such a big move. You have done an amazing job planning ahead and preparing for any challenges that may arise. Focusing on the positive outcome and visualizing your move going smoothly is so helpful. You should feel proud of yourself for being so thoughtful and resourceful. I have faith that all your preparation and planning will pay off. What inner strength allows you to face what worries you? How do you nurture that part of yourself?
@ASilentObserver
What inner strength allows you to face what worries you? How do you nurture that part of yourself?
When I am stressed, my mind sometimes wanders to wanting to drink alcohol because I'm an alcoholic. But I have learned to tell myself over the years that I want to rely on my inner strength, and not alcohol, to deal with stress or happiness. I also tell myself to take my psychiatric meds because they make me feel better.
@ASilentObserver
Job stability mostly, as I am temping at the moment and have not found anything permanent.
I tend to try and stay active so even though I am worrying I am still doing stuff like exercising or cleaning. If I'm not careful I can end up sitting at the table in the afternoon in my pyjamas getting lost in the inter-webs. When I do that I set time limits and do something simple even if it is in my pyjamas.
@miraculousSnow1503 I understand feeling unsettled with temporary work and longing for stability. It sounds like you have some healthy coping strategies, like staying active through exercise or chores. Setting limits for distraction is also helpful. I appreciate you for taking care of yourself during this challenging time.