Can you tell yourself not to worry?

United States
June 27, 2020 11:28am CST
Can you? And if so, does it work? I need to know your secret if it does work. I have always been the type of person to have anxiety over things until they are done. Even going to a normal job gave me anxiety, because I didn't like the unexpected. I thrive on knowing what to expect. That isn't to say that I don't like spontaneity, but I have to trust a person or situation before I am comfortable with spontaneity. Things are made worse when they don't go as planned, or if people start to relay their own anxieties. It just stresses me out more. I am also the type of person who needs lots of time to "recharge". AKA leave me alone if you see I'm stressed, anxious or mad. So, Can you tell yourself not to worry? Does it work?
8 people like this
8 responses
• Philippines
27 Jun 20
I have anxiety issues so it is a real challenge for me not to worry.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 20
I do too. Years ago I was diagnosed with "adjustment disorder" and was told that I would grow out of it. I have to some degree, but I still get anxious about things.
@LindaOHio (157732)
• United States
27 Jun 20
I'm a worrier. Sometimes I can block a really worrisome problem so that I don't think about it all the time.
• United States
27 Jun 20
I'm feeling a bit less anxious, but I"ll feel even better once this person comes and gets the entertainment center (they are late!)
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 20
@LindaOHio We shall see. In the mean time, I am anxiety ridden. I just messaged to ask if they are still interested. I'm taking the listing down as soon as I get a reply from them. I just can't handle the anxiety.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157732)
• United States
27 Jun 20
@ScribbledAdNauseum I hope they show up; and there isn't a problem.
1 person likes this
@bestie (3272)
• Philippines
27 Jun 20
I'm always trying to convince myself not to worry that sometimes I'm being misunderstood by the people around me, they would think that I don't care at all which is extremely the opposite
@bestie (3272)
• Philippines
27 Jun 20
@ScribbledAdNauseum yeah, you wanna do and say something but you just can't express yourself at all
• United States
27 Jun 20
@bestie Sometimes it's better to stay quiet, even if it means others assume things.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 20
I get that sometimes too. People think I do not care when I actually do, I just don't know what to say.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
30 Jun 20
Nope, I can't. I live with that big ball of worrisome anxiety in my chest constantly. I suffer anxiety even when doing mundane things, like commenting on myLot posts {what if they read it wrong, what if they hate what I say, what if it comes across wrong, what if they think I'm jumping on their bandwagon ...} and doing every day simple things that I've been doing since childhood, like getting the bus. I've just succumbed to my natural inner anxiety and live with it. I'm not going to change now, and that's fine. Most people wouldn't even know about the inside me that cowers and worries and stamps her feet, a sobbing toddler hiding behind her Mumma's skirts. And in this particular situation, it wouldn't be enough that they'd picked the item up. I'd then get anxious about if it did what they wanted it to do, would they blame me and bring it back - even if free. Oddly, I had major elective surgery back in 2011 and leading up to it I've never felt calmer in my entire life. Brains are weird. And now my comment is longer than your post. Sorry.
• United States
30 Jun 20
It's fine that the comment is longer. I was diagnosed with adjustment disorder many years ago. It is something I was told I'd grow out of, and I did, but I still have this pesky anxiety that comes in from time to time. The first time I took a taxi I was afraid that they'd take me to the wrong place, or charge me more than I had figured they would. Or maybe they would expect me to carry on a conversation when I do not do well with those. Went out to move the entertainment center because no one was coming (charity organization or individual) and I saw how bad the entertianment center looked. It made me feel embarrassed because I don't remember it looking so bad when we put it out there. It got me to thinking that maybe the item wasn't to the person's liking and they just didn't want to hurt my feelings... So I definitely understand how the mind works to make us feel even worse thatn we should.
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
27 Jun 20
You know how people say to "cast your care"? I can't.
• United States
27 Jun 20
I am not sure if I've heard of that.
• United States
27 Jun 20
@Spontaneo Oh Yes, now that you mention it in that context... It isn't a phrase I often hear.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
27 Jun 20
@ScribbledAdNauseum Preachers often say to cast your cares to God.
@Janet357 (75656)
27 Jun 20
I think i am like that: leave me alone if I am stressed. It is hard to tell ourselves that everything is okay. When someone you love is in the ER and that bad news is relayed to you when you are in good mood, do you think you can still smile and be calm? No. But then, life is full of ups and downs and the only thing we can do is to do what we can to move on
• United States
27 Jun 20
People can sometimes exacerbate an issue even when they are trying not to. Right, I can not say that I've ever smiled or laughed when I've heard of a loved one in the ER
@dodo19 (47121)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
27 Jun 20
I can tell myself not to worry. Sometimes I can manage to calm myself down, while other times it's easier said than done. It just depends on the day.
• United States
27 Jun 20
Right, I agree with you. There has been a few times when grounding myself has worked, but other times nothing seems to help.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
27 Jun 20
I worry too much myself,
• United States
27 Jun 20
I have a ball of anxiety that probably won't go away until a piece of furniture outside my house is picked up by a complete stranger. I should have never listed it for free.