Aging/religious anxieties.

i’ve been obsessing and driving myself insane being so extremely anxious about getting old and passing away. i think what truly scares me is the fact that i have no idea what happens after death, which also plays into my anxiety around religion. if i believe in god, then i should know what happens right? i shouldn’t be scared, he tells you not to be scared, he tells you what happens. so then that leads me to believe that i’m not being a good enough believer, which then leads me down the “i’m going to hell” path. its just a never ending spiral. i’m only 19 i hate that im so stressed about getting old, i really don’t want to grow old and die. i really don’t. it’s terrifying man. but at the same time the thought of living for eternity, wether it’s here on earth or up in heaven is also EXTREMELY terrifying. like HELLO?? ETERNITY?? it’s just all so scary. everything about life and death has been so terrifying lately. i hate that’s im always wishing to be “normal” how do you guys feel about aging? is it scary, or are you just okay with the fact that it’s natural and it happens to everyone. i would like to have that mindset honestly. hopefully one day ill get there! anyway, thanks for reading, i hope everyone is having a better day than yesterday.

Anonymous

Date posted: 8h

I used to have intense anxiety about death at the beginning of my anxiety disorder (in my 20’s)and would read books about afterlife stuff. But now that I’m 42 I don’t have that hanging over me as intensely as it did. I think it helps to know that death is part of life and supposedly your body knows what to do when it happens. Aging on the other hand does still bother me. Things like surviving at old age, financially or physically is something I do fear but at the same time, I am able to redirect it that that is in the future and not my immediate problem. It helps to focus on the present. You’re not alone!

Kay101

Date posted: 7h

@Anonymous thank you so much, you’re so kind to take the time out of your day to send kind, helpful words to a young lady such as myself. it does help seeing people older than me learning how to thrive.

connie2727

Date posted: 7h

Yep, I can relate to this one i think its a very common fear. You have your whole life ahead of you, age 19? Worrying about something we have no idea of when it will happen is exhausting. The future hasn’t happened yet, focus on things you love to do now.

Kay101

Date posted: 7h

@connie2727 i really am trying to just live in the moment and take things one day at a time. it’s really hard. but also not as isolating to know im not alone. thank you so much.

Anonymous

Date posted: 6h

I used to be terrified of this due to my mormon upbringing, but as I have gotten older, it has faded significantly. Unfortunately it's a one day at a time kind of deal at first, but as I have gotten more regulated and happier as I progress in life, the worry has become acceptance of the unknown and I am pretty at peace with it now! Still pops up here and there, but I encourage you to give it time. At 19 it was really bad for me too, and I never would have believed it would improve, but now at 27, it's genuinely so manageable and not a daily issue at all. I hope it fades for you too with time, friend!

Zayyyy

Date posted: 3h

I just went through this exact same thing these last two years. It killed me every single day. Sometimes it still gets me. OCD likes to be black and white though, and make you think it has to be one thing or the other. Remember. Many things can be true at once. You can have your faith and still be concerned, scared, or worried. You’re human. Also, OCD is hyper aware that there isn’t some perfect tangible way to foresee the future and have all the answers. So it creates that heightened sense of uncertainty. Again, two things can be true. Uncertainty, especially in this case, can be really scary and/or feel really uncomfortable. However, uncertainty and discomfort/thoughts that are scary doesn’t mean there’s a threat or something you truly need to be concerned with. OCD wants you to ruminate and think about this until you have it all figured out or confirmed or sown perfect full proof explanation. It sucks. But there are things we can’t provide that type of confirmation for. And engaging it the thoughts and checking only makes the OCD worse. So, remind yourself. It’s okay to be with these uncomfortable thoughts. We don’t need to have all the answers. We don’t have to figure that out in this very moment. Discomfort is not a threat. You are strong enough to handle the uncertainty. And in this case, this is about faith. Faith itself is being okay with the uncertainty. But you still maintain the faith :)

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