For better or worse, sticking to safe things didn’t quell my anxiety, so today I tried to have a little coffee, not workout, and have a bagel rather than cereal (what can I tell you, I’m a rebel). The result: The same up and down panic and anxiety. The bad news is that my safety behaviors won’t save me. The good news is that I don’t have to constrict my life to only be able to enjoy “safe” things.
What a fantastic (& timely) reminder to get out there & experiment with new & probably exciting life experiences. And in my case to stop using my sense of over-zealous, diligent work-commitment to keep me in my nice safe zone, pretending I’m being a wonderful, deserving employee.. but really all it’s doing is preventing me from becoming a bigger, more rounded person, with a bigger & better life.
I went through the fear of coffee because my therapist kept asking how much coffee I was drinking… ONE cup in the morning that was it but I was convinced I had to quit it…. I’m happily sipping a cup of coffee right now haha and I’m fine. This whole topic actually hit home. I have been doing a lot of fall crafts. Something I used to save on Pinterest and tell myself I’d try someday and never did. And guess what? I LOVE it…. Who’d have thought?!?! I started doing it to show myself I could focus on something other than the symptoms and it has turned into my favorite past time, a hobby… never thought I’d have one of those again. Thought I was lost in anxiety and didn’t know what I liked anymore but there it was. BTW, I went to a Waylon & Willie concert when I was about 13, here in CA. Haha wasn’t thrilled an older cousin took me, but I have acquired an appreciation for country music over the years and listen to it just as much as any other. Music is another thing that has drawn me up off the couch… and I am thankful! Thanks Drew!
Is there a related article of dealing with your past things? Literally things like songs, photos, all your stuff that can make you feel sad, overwhelmed and want to toss it despite rationality or know which are rational decisions or just emotionally based?
"When you are not really sure what you like any more because anxiety has controlled so much of your life so long, you can’t just decide to like things" So true! And so you keep doing the things that are within your safety zone. And your mood might be too low (partly because you keep doing the same things) to experiment and make that leap. Until, you think enough is enough. Ironic that this post comes up today when I have decided to go roller skating in a car park tonight, no matter what. Bit bizarre? Who cares! Here's to rolling the night away ;-)
Same! But it’s running for me. I used to love to run I did marathons and after my anxiety attack I stopped because I somehow thought it would shake my brain or make the anxiety worse 🤦🏻♀️. I am slowly getting back to it on the treadmill but I want to go back to running outside like I used to.
For better or worse, sticking to safe things didn’t quell my anxiety, so today I tried to have a little coffee, not workout, and have a bagel rather than cereal (what can I tell you, I’m a rebel). The result: The same up and down panic and anxiety. The bad news is that my safety behaviors won’t save me. The good news is that I don’t have to constrict my life to only be able to enjoy “safe” things.
And of course now I’m listening to Waylon Jennings on Spotify😂 It ain’t bad actually!
What a fantastic (& timely) reminder to get out there & experiment with new & probably exciting life experiences. And in my case to stop using my sense of over-zealous, diligent work-commitment to keep me in my nice safe zone, pretending I’m being a wonderful, deserving employee.. but really all it’s doing is preventing me from becoming a bigger, more rounded person, with a bigger & better life.
I went through the fear of coffee because my therapist kept asking how much coffee I was drinking… ONE cup in the morning that was it but I was convinced I had to quit it…. I’m happily sipping a cup of coffee right now haha and I’m fine. This whole topic actually hit home. I have been doing a lot of fall crafts. Something I used to save on Pinterest and tell myself I’d try someday and never did. And guess what? I LOVE it…. Who’d have thought?!?! I started doing it to show myself I could focus on something other than the symptoms and it has turned into my favorite past time, a hobby… never thought I’d have one of those again. Thought I was lost in anxiety and didn’t know what I liked anymore but there it was. BTW, I went to a Waylon & Willie concert when I was about 13, here in CA. Haha wasn’t thrilled an older cousin took me, but I have acquired an appreciation for country music over the years and listen to it just as much as any other. Music is another thing that has drawn me up off the couch… and I am thankful! Thanks Drew!
Is there a related article of dealing with your past things? Literally things like songs, photos, all your stuff that can make you feel sad, overwhelmed and want to toss it despite rationality or know which are rational decisions or just emotionally based?
On the nose again Drew. I have to try to find new ways of communicating, because I've lost some of my old ways. Thanks again big guy
"When you are not really sure what you like any more because anxiety has controlled so much of your life so long, you can’t just decide to like things" So true! And so you keep doing the things that are within your safety zone. And your mood might be too low (partly because you keep doing the same things) to experiment and make that leap. Until, you think enough is enough. Ironic that this post comes up today when I have decided to go roller skating in a car park tonight, no matter what. Bit bizarre? Who cares! Here's to rolling the night away ;-)
Same! But it’s running for me. I used to love to run I did marathons and after my anxiety attack I stopped because I somehow thought it would shake my brain or make the anxiety worse 🤦🏻♀️. I am slowly getting back to it on the treadmill but I want to go back to running outside like I used to.