That sounds lovely Miki . And all the better if its an familiar place for you . Think about all the catching up and chatting you will be doing . I am begginning to find that when im chatting i tend not to 'think' about being anxious . Well most of the time anyway .
I'm going to stay with my husband in the town that he works in next week, which is 2 hours away from my home. I used to live there and I am excited to go because I can see some of my great friends. I am a bit anxious though, of course. And I just needed to write it down. I am worried about going away from my comfort zone for 4 full days. But I am trying to imagine all the fun I will have such as going to the beach and laughing at silly things like I used to with my friends.
Realizing and identifying the problem you are facing is the first step. Good for you for being able to identify how you feel, and how you deal with these feelings when they arise. Now you can work on learning to trust your body; the exposure exercises will definitely help.
You can do it, and don't forget that we are all here to support you,
Are you on the West Coast ?? I only ask as we both seem to post "late" at night compared to the others.. lol...I'm a night owl anyways.
I completely relate to your obsession with your body and looking for "signs" of impending illness or imminent death at one time via stroke, heart attack etc... and hey.. here I STILL am 15 years later. Mine started at about 19.. although I had always been an anxious "sort" when I look back. Typical over achiever.. super "bubbly".. typical BS facade.. when inside I was an anxious mess.. Lots of great things came of being who I was but a lot of BS too..
I go through cycles.. It can be my body... but mainly I worry about "mental" things.. losing my sanity.. control.. etc... So frightening when it's happening but so easy to "rationalize" when I'm no longer in the moment.. I have definate OCD obsessions though.. and they are tough to handle.. For me personally only medication seems to really give me peace of mind. Doesn't cure the anxiety but allows me to work though it when it 's happening..and live a normal happy life for the most part...
Ok.. i'm rambling on and on...
I think it's a great exposure excercise.. Let me (us) know how it goes...
Thanks Dazedmommy. It's always nice to hear nice support... and yes, I need to remember I am not alone.. especially when I am physically. I want to trust my body, again. I have an obsession to keep checking if there is any discomfort in my body, which in return causes discomfort. I need to learn to stop this somehow,
That is also a good point, Sylvie. I don't think I've really tried to over come this yet. I think it's sort of my first time to actually realize this problem I have. I think I will use this as my next exposure experiment. Thanks.
Well that sounds like a "yuck" day... but as you summed it up... this too shall pass. I have never been housebound BUT I have been afraid to leave before..and my hubby had to drive me to work everyday for a long time... I'm no longer like that and can do it all on my own so there is hope...and a definate light at the end of the tunnel.
What kind of painting are you doing? I've always wanted to do something like that and have never been brave enough.... as I don't believe I have any skill.. and being type A...that would be admitting I'm not good at something.. LOL..
Well Miki..tomorrow is a new day.. and you can challenge yourself again...Don't be too hard on yourself... you're not alone on this journey!
Today I didn't feel like going to my painting class. I was afraid... extremely afraid. I wish I can just not think before I do things. But I know this is just another anxious day for me and it will pass to when a day will come when I can go to school worry free. I am afraid of leaving the house when there is nobody home because I feel insecure when I'm out alone, nobody can come rescue me.
Wow! Congratulations yet again on another great success! That is so great! You are doing well and Kudos to you for staying there even if you didn't feel at your best! That was very brave of you! Proud of you!
My hats off to you Miki . I have just been catching up . You have been so brave and quite awsome .
Im inspired yet again . Happy belated Birthday to you as well :)
