[CorpusHeart]

Hey! I'm new to this site and made a profile almost entirely for this issue I'm having. Ok here goes...
For as long as I can remember I have freaked out about so many things in my relationship. I overreact to a lot of stuff because I'm overly strict with myself and am so scared of "settling" that I create problems where there are none. I know this. Now heres the back story

I have only every been in one relationship my whole life. I am still in it and it is amazing. We communicate, we love each other, we keep things interesting, we grow together and support one another and I am just so happy with it. We have been dating for 3 and a half years. Now, I'm only a sophomore in college and lately, I've been worried about the future. About, so I really want just one relationship for the rest of my life, and almost threw away the incredible relationship I have now because of that fear.

Now, I did consider the possibility that these feelings of wanting to experience dating other people were normal, but I realized that I don't want to see other people at all. I'm just so worried about screwing up my life that I want to take every precaution and make sure I'm doing right by myself. But I already am...

So, my point here, and the issue I'd be asking for advice on is, how can i stop this anxiety from coming back? Because it always does. Its always in the back of my mind and its not fair for me or my boyfriend. How can I stop thinking about the future to such a degree that it ruins my present? Because this anxiety always comes back, and it comes back strong. I fear for me and my relationship. I just want to be happy with what I am blessed to have.

[utterlyconfused]

I struggle with this same problem... One thing that I've noticed is that when I journal my feelings out and get them on paper, my mind tends to get clearer and clearer. I get so worried that I may forget what I'm thinking, so my mind puts these thoughts on replay.

Just remember to breathe and take things easy. Make a list of reasons why you are blessed to be with this person, and when these thoughts come back, read them to yourself and maybe that'll help too

[Travelinglady]

Hi, CorpusHeart, and welcome to Psych Central! I think it's normal to wonder about the grass on the other side of the fence. But, that said, I do know of people who met "the one" and never dated again, but got married at some point.

You are young, as you said, though, and I am sure there are many eligible guys. I wouldn't worry about the future. Just take it one day at a time. My thinking is that if at some point you see a guy you are extremely interested in, enough to risk losing the relationship you have, then you can re-visit this issue. But I'm not sure about dating just for the sake of dating. You might end up just being used by the guys, in my opinion.

Your boyfriend must really think highly of you. I also suggest you just be glad you have him now.

[amber4321]

I have horrible relationship anxiety too. Except I'm always looking for red flags that my boyfriend is about to leave me or is tired of me. What helps me is to just unload all my thoughts to a friend who is supportive and understanding and able to help me rationalize what I'm thinking. I, especially, try to do it when my anxiety starts coming back so I stop it before it consumes me or before I let my mind wander too far.