If any of you have successfully given up worrying...

I have a fear that "worrying" and "caring" have somehow got inextricably linked in my brain. How I wish I could do the second without necessarily having to do the first

As soon as I realise I'm not worrying, I start worrying about not worrying.

Wisewoman your mother and mine must have been 'sisters under the skin'.

I am another worrier. Intellectually I know it is a waste of time and energy but nontheless it consumes me and affects my digestive system to a great degree!! I get so angry at myself because I feel at my age I should know it is completely pointless. I try to keep it to myself so it doesn't burden those close to me. My mother always used to say "I am worried to death about you" and it made me so angry that she didn't trust me to sort out my own life!

When I was a young teenager, I worried about the threat of the H bomb and every cloud was a mushroom cloud. I suppose I worried a bit about my finals at University; but gradually, I came to accept that you never change anything by worrying about it. My mother was the world's worst worrier - she would have been worried about having nothing to worry about. She drove me nuts and if there was ever anything wrong with me I would try to keep it from her. So perhaps that's why I have, for most of my life, seen worry as the enemy. I sleep well. And I'm aware that I may sound smug or possibly insensitive. You would have to ask my family about that.

My anxiety levels were sky high after coping with too much over a few years. Its manifested itself and heavy duty anxiety to the result I even went to Drs who got me on a self help course for it. All well and good but it just gave me all those well worn things that you know all about when you are feeling fine but they go out of the window when you are all het up and anxious.
The one thing that does work for me, and its an effort to do but always works. Whatever the weather - get all the right gear on, wellies, waterproofs etc etc and one mad dog that needs long walks. Go for said walk in the rain, watch daft dog run into hedges, sniffing rabbit burrows and running around in circles. Result is we are both worn out but get fresh air, excersise, work up an appetite AND get a better nights sleep.

Everyone seems to think my tummy problem is due to worry/stress but worrying about it is making me more stressed and worried. I do find a good tv programme pushes out the worrying thoughts [BBC4 most nights] or a good film that makes me think a lot about it. Of course, the best thing is physical activity but I can't do that much these days. And reading which I can't seem to do these days, either.

I write my worries down in a special book without making any effort to put a positive slant on matters. I might also write down the best way to deal with a given situation, like making a plan.

I try to decide which things are a 'waste of worry' and tell myself to think about the things I can do something about. Doesn't always work, of course, but it helps.
The Serenity Prayer sums it up, whether you are religious or not:
Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

hell I must be worlds worst, and i keep meaning to do my relaxation cd in fact may this afternoon!! OH IS at work, though supposed be packing for weeknd.
at moment am worried sick about my friend who has to have scan on Fri.

I guess if you are a worrier you are stuck with it, I do try deal with stuff if I can then if nothing can be done try not to STRESS!!!!!!!!!

DEEP BREATHS!!! they say meditation helps never cottoned on to that!!

I'd like to give up "worrying" and most of all thinking, or maybe over thinking.
Never used to question myself so much but now I am older and had a few
"happenings" along the way I am more hesitant and therefore THINK more.
In the process drive myself mad!!!!!!!!
Yes give pep talk and yes suggestions please.

I can actually feel it creeping over me - it affects me physically in that I can feel sick and not want to eat, depending on the level of worry!

I've found yoga can help, but it only stops the worry for the time you're actually doing it, like anything else that takes your mind off it, I suppose...

No help at all, but will await other answers with interest.

Grossi You are not alone! I worry about everything and everybody, and I would love to be happy go lucky and carefree.
If only there were a magic solution.
If you're anything like me, you will have given yourself all the 'pep talks' and they won't have made a scrap of difference!