So sorry for your episode this morning, Cheryl!
Actually, I read your post before I left work...at first I wasn't going to, but then I thought I would challenge myself. But I wanted to wait until I got to work to reply. Was there anything different about this morning? Such little things tend to make me insecure. This morning was darker than yesterday, so I hesitated a bit.
But YOU know it's still time to get back on the bicycle. Besides playing a favorite song of mine over and over, I have been forcing myself, when I can, to gently push my head up against the headrest. It seems to be calming to me. (most of the time)It also helps with my breathing...when I am really panicked I am hunched over and it doesn't help me to breathe well.
Further, congratulate yourself...You didn't get out of the car.......AND you made it to work. Even when I am miserable..I still try and acknowledge that I DID it.
I keep telling myself that I am a good driver and that helps, as well. I know I posted this somewhere else here, but I remembered a little poster I had made for my daughter when she was growing up....
"Courage is NOT the absence of fear, courage is doing what you need to do, DESPITE your fear." I think I have adopted this as my new mantra. Hang in there and know, that each new day is an opportunity to gain confidence. Celebrate your past successes and use them to build on to move forward...accept that you had a minor setback, but that doesn't have to continue.
Baby steps... ;)