Cresting The Hill

Great post and one with which I identify. I know that I was the scenario planner too. I still do it to a degree. I guess I'd like to say I have learned a lot about the time worry takes from us but I am also unable to 'let it all go'. Reading and listening to a book right now called Your Worry Makes Sense by a GP in the UK and it is very helpful. Right now I am having to learn what to be feeling less fearful about and with 'only' being 6 months into my recovery from burnout it is still hard. I like and admire your positivity and your analysis of yourself as an older person.
Take care,
Denyse

Hi Leanne. I've always been a worrier, as well, but less of one as I've gotten older. Life has definitely had it's ups and downs, but what has helped me the most, is to focus on my blessings. ♥️

Hi Leanne, I can definitely relate to what you’ve said about worrying. I’ve come to realise, at the age of 60, that growing up with a narcissistic mother probably has a lot to do with how I am. I always have to plan for the least fall out from everything I do and say - I didn’t even realise this until my partner pointed it out to me. He thinks that it’s something that has shaped who I am. I remember as far back as first starting work and the adults there were so different to my home life. They accepted me unconditionally and it was a real eye opener. I didn’t realise why until much later in my life. That said, the way I manage in life is still ingrained in me from my childhood, although now I know why, it’s much easier to manage. In my case the worry is all about keeping things on an even keel. I retired last year and I’m working on this part of my life being about what I’d like to do rather than trying to keep others happy all the time. It’s not easy.

I have always been a worrier, I take after my dad. I have made overthinking into an art form. I'm not sure I worry less but I am getting better at spotting the spiralling thoughts and catastrophising and having strategies to deal with them. I think it will be a life long learning curve for me. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Hi Leanne, This is so relatable. How wonderful that you’re noticing that you’re worrying less. Having that awareness is fantastic! I too have found that I worry less as I get older. I suppose it’s because, as you say, we now have so much evidence of things always working out for the best, even when it doesn’t seem like they will in the moment. Thanks for sharing your insights.

In my mind, I understand that worry is generally a waste of time. The problems we are having here in the States has brought into sharper focus how consuming it can be to worry, especially when we have little control over a situation. That's not to say we should be unconcerned or apathetic, but to channel our energies and thoughts into something productive wherever we can. I'm still learning to not worry so much, since worry doesn't accomplish anything, but it's difficult.

Hi Leanne - I can definitely relate. I was always a worrier and still am. I have difficulty letting things go and like you I am an over-thinker. I was diagnosed with burnout since mid-summer last year and it's been very difficult. Health issues and insomnia doesn't help. I have been trying very hard to stop the storylines when I start ruminating as intellectually I know that worrying doesn't serve any basis but it's to make the mind-heart connection that is hard to do . It's a work in progress. One method I use is to count from 1 to 10 with each outbreath. Reading your post makes me feel less alone as well as reading the different comments. Some people expressed that they worry less as they get older but with me it's the opposite due to the fact that I am not as healthy as I used to be, can't do the things that I used to do and I am alone. I try not to compare myself to others as we all dealing with different circumstances. Thank you for writing such a relatable post. 🧡

Well, I'm not quite there. I'm finding that I do need to keep the "worry on" and the follow-ups being done. When I don't hear from an insurance agent, i cannot assume everything is OK...I need to assume there is a problem (they had never opened my correspondence, much less done what I asked). I worried a ton about the house demo, follow-ed up with the demo company twice, and my worry still came about.... but my follow-up with the company about my worry meant they paid for the fix at least. I do try to not swirl on worse-case scenarios and to tell myself that what ever happens I will deal with it. But at this time of my life, worry is here to stay, over-thinking remains, and a calm mind happens rarely.

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I worry a lot less than I used to. Definitely that is because I am older and prefer to be more positive by choice. I do like to have a plan as I start my day and often try to fill in my agenda somewhat for the week ahead. However, I do not spend much time thinking about how my plans may go wrong and they often do need to be changed. When they do, it is no big deal. I think of that little song, “Don’t worry, be happy. Every little thing is going to be all right!!”