I have become somewhat obsessed with global warming. I have to say I have an anxiety problem which is probably what is feeding it. I am always worrying about something. Every little thing I throw away, I think about how long it will be sitting in a landfill. I think about lights being on, my car (I drive an 03 sunfire which gets 33mpg.) I have even started commuting with my boyfriend a lot even though it means me sitting around for 2 hours waiting for him to get out. Is anyone else thinking about these things?
2007-12-05 07:19:27 · 6 answers · asked by The Hollow Girl 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
oh i do recycle, every shred of paper or anything else I can. And I work at a daycare and take home all the scraps of paper and plastic cups etc that would just be thrown away.
2007-12-05 07:41:58 · update #1
Absolutely! You're not alone! I wouldn't be surprised if there is a whole new generation of people with a very specific type of anxiety about this. I'm sure that mental-health care professionals are seeing a spike in patients with this kind of fear and worry. I've thought about going to see a therapist, but sort of feel like - what's the point? How can I NOT worry. It would be irrational to NOT worry...you know?
I feel worried about it all the time. I have a child and am absolutely terrified about what the world is going to hold for her by the time me and my husband are gone. I go to great lenghts to not buy things, and to find recycling uses for things we don't need anymore. Even to the extent that my husband gets annoyed at how much of an effort I make to do it.... But I can't help it, I cannot just TOSS things.
I know this won't make you less worried, because the problems are there, but at least you know you're not alone.
2007-12-05 07:38:23 · answer #1 · answered by wendileen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're working on a healthy case of OCD there. However, the key is to learn coping mechanisms and alternative behaviors.
1) Instead of worrying about how long something will be sitting in a landfill, compost what you can, recycle what you can, and only discard the absolutely non-recyclables.
2) Instead of "sitting around for 2 hours" in the car, take up a hobby (knitting, reading, something that can be done in the car while you wait) and be productive.
If you find yourself DOING instead of just ANGUISHING, you'll feel better.
2007-12-05 15:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by jbtascam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know you have an anxiety problem.. so you know what the root of your obsession is based in. Keep up your treatment for anxiety (or see a doctor and start a treatment if you haven't yet) and this obsession should fade.
Though there's nothing wrong with wanting to help the environment.. obsessing over things "possibly" forgotten is not healthy.
2007-12-05 15:27:12 · answer #3 · answered by pip 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone can do this: look what you are doing, and decide what is really making real differences. If you wait 2 hours to carpool, can you carpool with someone else so that your time is not wasted. What else could you be doing during those two hours? Could that time be used more effectively and have more impact on your cause rather than what you are doing now. Everything is "opportunity costs,", and their is nothing wrong with living a thoughtful life---but be happy doing it, not obsessed.
2007-12-05 15:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by Thoughtful Mind 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need not to obsess over this but be able to contribute to stopping global wraming wilist having a life also you cou;d reuse,reduce or recyle instead of throwing away and worrying about it.
Remember RECYCLE OR REDUCE OR REUSE
2007-12-05 15:30:16 · answer #5 · answered by lifemusiclovey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well don't throw away but recycle.
2007-12-05 15:23:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋