Future anxiety

What it does to us and why it's still important

Fear – a phenomenon that pretty much every student has had to deal with. And most people also know the feeling of inner unrest, uncertainty or get stomach ache when it comes to questions about the future. It's so much easier not to engage with events that lie more than a year in the future. Committing firmly to something or imagining that life won't continue forever the way it has so far is often a big step, and it's hard to admit that some mistakes from the past shouldn't be repeated. 

From a Eurocentric perspective, fear of war and destruction is not at the forefront, nor is the fear of starving or dying of thirst. The worry that tomorrow one could be persecuted, tortured or killed because of one's faith or political views is also not part of the everyday life of students in Europe. It is important to constantly remind oneself that against most fears that do not result from war or persecution, one can actively take action, and there must be gratitude that these existential fears are no longer everyday life or at least are not currently among the immediate concerns.

Worries accompany everyday life today like weekly shopping and the thought of earlier times, better times, follows people like their own shadow at every turn. Life and enjoyment seemed seemingly simpler and easier in times of freedom a year and a half ago; amongst many people, when the individual still counted as the smallest molecule of a large mass – at a festival, a trip abroad, in a big city. 

Today reality catches up with the individual in one of the more frequent lonely moments in the small flat often faster, and he begins to think – what have I achieved in the past, what lies ahead of me in the future? Am I happy? What if I fail, if I don't make it? What if I forget what life looked like a year and a half ago? Money worries, fears of loss, the worry of not being heard, not being taken seriously or failing to pass the final exam, sinking into a sea of stress and at the same time the hopeless struggle against a tormenting flood of boredom, because there is no way out, no balance that gives the bitter taste of mundane everyday life a bearable sweetness. And yet everyone experiences the same thing, which is why conversations increasingly become the same and fears bundle into similar ones. Everyone is in the same boat and yet no one knows what to do with their fear. 

It would be wonderful to be an apparently carefree child again, one who does not actively perceive fear in their surroundings, at least not with the pressure that an adult does. And that everywhere and all the time. But the amount and intensity of worries that the individual lets into their life can be actively counteracted, and thus the heavy burden of fear about the future can be eased. 

#1 Approaching fear rationally

Fear is a natural, chemical process that has been of immense importance for the survival of the human species throughout human history. Today it still is. The feeling of fear, worry or nervousness first shows our body that we are in an important situation in which it is now crucial to keep a cool head. Being aware that emotions of this kind are normal and even significant in these situations can take a great deal of pressure off them. The same applies to the widespread worries about the future that everyone has. 

The crucial question is: what should the individual think more about than what the future holds or what threat it might pose?? Does this question not also justify the fear or nervousness that some people feel when thinking about the future?

From mistakes and disappointments of the past, everyone has by now sufficiently experienced the bitter reality that these fears can indeed be justified. However, being afraid of fear merely leads to a simple freezing of all possibilities for action – and ultimately it prevents the progress of life. A little fear or worry is also healthy: for example, if you are afraid of failing at a job interview, you won't be too casual, or if you fear financial difficulties, you learn early on to be careful with money. However, if fear begins to dominate everyday life, it is always advisable to seek help early on.

#2 Talking about fear

No one has to face their worries alone. From a good friend to pastoral care or doctors, there is help available to get your own, seemingly uncontrollable fear under control. Shared sorrow is half sorrow, and often the situation is found in a similar form with other conversation partners. Hearing that no one in this world is alone with their problems and fears is already a great relief and makes dealing with fear much easier. 

#3 Living in the present

It is not just about what happens in the future. The here and now should always receive the most attention. Just as past events, however striking they may have been, should eventually come to rest. Whoever only looks worriedly into the future or cannot let go of the past, misses out on life. Everyone has a certain respect for the future, but everyday life is ultimately always lived in the present. 

#4 Keeping your strengths and successes in mind

Fear of future failure or concrete, seemingly threatening situations is often the result of bad experiences from the past. Car accidents, sudden financial difficulties, diagnoses from the doctor, a sudden job loss or heartbreak can fuel fears about the future, but such experiences will never cease to exist. However, there are not only these bad, painful or even traumatic memories that can shape thoughts about the future: personal strengths and experiences of success can also promote self-confidence and minimise fear of the future. Especially in the current time, when everyday life seems frozen in place, it is all the more important to recall your own, beautiful experiences. Personal mental strength, your own resilience and the ability to accept criticism gain strength in this way, and fear of future events automatically diminishes. 

#5 Having the mind of a child

What matters to a child? Playing a game with friends, painting or crafting or eating gummy bears are of the greatest, childlike interest, and making water bombs faster than the other is the highest rivalry that takes place between children. Also, children do not primarily find themselves ugly or beautiful, see no socially constructed ideals and do not feel ashamed, know no laziness or workaholism, have no money worries, stress or pressure, feel hatred or love, are not conscious of their appearance, have no fear of asking silly questions and do not constantly think about what might be different or even worse tomorrow. The way a child thinks cannot always ease the worried brooding about the future, but especially in some situations it is nice to recall carefree times or to revive them in some rituals or ways of thinking. This can greatly help you not to take yourself so seriously all the time and to realise that the world does not end if a job offer goes to someone else, the washing machine breaks down, the next date is cancelled or the car needs to go to the workshop. A child also does not give up so quickly, and often it is really only about building sandcastles.  

#6 Panic and anxiety disorders: When you are trapped in your fear and how to get help quickly 

Sitting unsuspectingly on the bus or lying in bed, at the checkout in the supermarket, in the lecture hall or at a party – suddenly fear constricts your own throat and presses on your chest, it becomes difficult to breathe and think. Just don't draw attention, just get away, away, away and preferably out of your own skin so that this terrible, blind panic comes to an end. Panic attacks are no longer a taboo subject, yet many still feel ashamed to talk about them or do not take themselves seriously at all. But at the latest when your everyday life becomes increasingly impossible to manage because of overwhelming fears, you should seek help. 

There is no shame in seeking help. The world is large and full of frightening things, so it is completely natural that you do not always feel equal to everything. 

Friends understand you. Even if it might seem silly to you or you are afraid of standing alone – the right people understand you. 

The university also offers ways to help you with fear or other problems: On the homepage of JMU Würzburg you will find a broad spectrum of counselling services under the following link: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/lehre/betreuen-und-beraten/beratungsstellen-an-der-jmu/. The Studentenwerk Würzburg also offers help: https://www.studentenwerk-wuerzburg.de/beratung/psychotherapeutische-beratung.html. 

Take care of yourself, be your own best friend and let yourself be helped if you feel you cannot manage it alone right now. You deserve to be helped. Your fears are not ridiculous. Your future is important. And how wonderful does a future sound that is not constantly consumed by fears? If you feel it would help to talk to someone professional: go to the doctor and have yourself possibly referred to a psychotherapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Often the health insurance even pays for it.

And never forget: no matter how mad the future may sometimes seem, it also contains so much beauty and opens up wonderful new possibilities that are fun and can also do something else: take away some of your fear.

Charlotte Jost