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Gustavo's avatar

So many teachings Drew!! The point is taken about feeling the anxiety with no Second Fear. With a "BUSY" job and SoCial Life sometimes I get confused on when to stop working(busy long hours) and when to stay resting (Social Life). I guess resting and not being hyper-active is important... Finding the Balance is the Key.

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Barbara Oliva's avatar

Drew!!!! this is a blessing to hear. Today, very early , I made a huge exposure. I felt incredibly great and proud. Ten minutes later, it came this horrible thought " why you don´t commit suicide, and stop your suffering? do it , do it..." I can tell you that never ever had this thoughts, even in my worst days :( I let them pass without judging, but I really felt miserable. Now, reading you, it all make sense... so the more you go through recovery the more anxiety will try to drag you in?

Got this, love you!

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Helen Burrows's avatar

got the book btw

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Helen Burrows's avatar

i love this. feelings aren't facts they just are. allow them carry on.

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Renay Varner's avatar

Great encouragement Drew! I have been more in tuned to thoughts and feelings. Try to figure out how to apply all I’m learning to daily body pain brought on by the big “pause” Any suggestions? Love you Big Guy!

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Vivien's avatar

Hey Renay i also deal with daily chronic pain besides the anxiety. Its a real challenge but the approach probably the same. Not overreacting to it, no judgement, no what ifs, not asking why. Its a real challenge but anything else i ve tried to „get rid“ of pain and anxiety failed so far.

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Renay Varner's avatar

Thanks trying to put that into practice but seems challenging

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Drew Linsalata's avatar

Well, body pain is no fun at all. We can acknowledge that as being a real issue, because it is. Building a story, an interpretation, and an entire narrative based on that pain is not required at all. "This really hurts and I wish it didn't because it's a problem." is a statement of fact. What's required beyond that? Anything? I'd suggest that most of anything you add on top is just judgment over feeling pain.

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Cammy's avatar

I used to get really upset if I didn’t feel good, joy or connected to my 8 year old niece when I was experiencing anxiety around her. Last week one of my exposures was keeping her for 2.5 hours while I was experiencing a lot of anxiety. I recorded us putting together a magic mixie. I sat with the very uncomfortable sensations of anxiety. Eventually it lifted. Which is amazing for me. I’ve never been able to go that before. Additionally, when I watched the 12 minute video later on. She had a great time. I’m still on the recovery road. But that experience really gave me hope.

As always, thank you Drew ❤️

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eileen corado's avatar

Hi Drew…

I will say this again. These juicy tidbits of wisdom, and experience make the application of them sooo delish for me. After working at all this for some time now….

I actually don’t want more complicated theories or labels, or complex pathologies that over stimulate the tired mind. I’ve been there and I HAVE already dug very deep into the past… and the present , and learning to leave much of the future to unfold and just keep moving forward in my recovery goals. Many times, in this journey, in my attempt to learn the why’s, I have felt so overwhelmed, on subjects of trauma, symptoms, complex inner child work etc. Huge important subjects.. but many times it has left me very confused and weary.

I love your work here! It’s Helping me to

“ change” up “ words” that create a better frame, introduce the a new idea of thiking , and best of all, helping me to find that applicable lesson. Already, I have found great guidance in just simply, the

“ letting go” or changing up some of some s—t stuff that I have been hanging on too that has kept me stuck.

It ALL resonates for me.

Just thought I would let you know.

I’m happy to be here and still learn

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Vivien's avatar

Dear Eileen, i made the same experience- all the research about where it comes from and replay all these traumatic memories over and over just brought me deeper into the anxiety. But it is still the common approach of psychologists.

I hope there is a way to lift all this confusion and heavyness and rewire these usual habits of worrying…

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Amanda's avatar

Thanks so much for this post Drew. Your advice and wisdom is a daily gift.

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Heather's avatar

This is huge. I read a book many years ago in which they addressed this, and they mentioned that after your life is over, people will remember what you DID, not how you felt. Hopefully, for example, my son will say “I remember Mom taking me to the playground when I was little.” He definitely will not say “But I think she was anxious while she did it, so it doesn’t count.”

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Drew Linsalata's avatar

EXACTLY. :-)

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Christian Delgado's avatar

For me, one of the best posts of your newsletter. It's completely like that. I'm currently recovering from a 5 months anxiety process and when I improve in something, my mind always try to analyze how I felt to evaluate how my recovery is going. I will try to focus more in the fact that each day I can do more things than the previous one.

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Christian Delgado's avatar

I think this is one of the best posts of your newsletter. It's totally like that. I'm currently recovering from a 5 months anxiety process and my mind is constantly judging how I felt in a specific moment and that's what marks if I'm recovering well. I will try to apply your advice, I think it will be great for my recovery.

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