One More Step

THH · Post by **THH** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:49 pm

I have been having a pretty good week.

I have been working on picking 3 important things that I really want to get done each day. In the am I think about what I need to do. Put them in order and I am happy with how that has gone.

I feel more organized for some reason.
SeaRunner - Good for you realizing to remember to let go and relax! I work on that all the time. For me its all work, I have been guilty of most of what this program talks about. I'm on session 14, and it has made a difference that I can get excited about. At least I am aware now of what I do.
Jillmind- You did so good! Its good you see how good you felt from doing it as well. That fans the fire inside! YEA!!!

Berengar- I too do the what if thinking. I also have learned to ask myself is it realistic, rational, reasonable? That one helps me. And I also have tryed to stay in the presant.

berengar · Post by **berengar** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:19 am

Hi THH-
Staying in the present is definitely key. It's also easy to learn to relax and not overwork yourself, but if you are anything like me you will also find it easy to slide back into the 'normal' stressful groove you have become so accustomed to! It's so easy to temporarily forget about the severe anxiety episodes when you become consumed with work and other things, then Wham! the anxiety returns with a vengence because you (rhetorical, not 'you' specifically) have not been working at being relaxed.

I need to take my own advice on this and not assume that I 'got over' a rough patch of anxiety. These feelings are a signal that something needs to change for good, not just temporarily.

Searunner, I understand your 'normal' comment completely. We all have so much potential and it's our own overanalytical, intelligent minds that are causing these feelings. Continue to be patient, as I will be, and we will both get there (and stay there, regardless of minor setbacks we may experience in the future).

THH · Post by **THH** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:16 am

Hi berenger,
You said that so well!

It is true, I know myself better these days, and I know my general make-up is the same. I must partipate in a variety of things with the variety of tools so it too can now become the new habit. Time and awareness are on our side!
Thanks, and have a good weekend!

berengar · Post by **berengar** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:45 am

Thank you! I had a decent weekend. Some stressful things occurred, but I am really trying to move on because those things really don't matter today.

One thing I recommend to everyone that seems to help me is to read Lucinda's book From Panic to Power. I got a copy on Amazon (used) for just a couple of dollars, and picking it up when I'm feeling anxious seems to help A TON. It's a little older, but the messages are extremely valid today. Just something I find comfort it, so wanted to pass it along!

I need to stop over-thinking and over-analyzing every little thing, from what happens in the day to what my body is doing at any instant. I think this is my biggest problem and sometimes I wish my brain would just settle down and be happy not thinking for a while!

manofmusic · Post by **manofmusic** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:53 pm

Way to go Jamie ! Pretty soon, you'll be there full time and you can use where you live as just that....a place to live, not work. Soon, you'll use where you live as a "get away" from work, like I do !
Last week was real easy to follow my goal of not letting things bother me, especially at work.......all of the bosses were on vacation ! LOL I didn't even know they were all going at the same time. This week is more of a struggle. Since they were all gone last week, they have catching up to do on their stuff and they're all in a mood because of it. Today I walked away from one of them. He started to act like a 5 year old and I CALMLY walked away. I made a decision to not react and I felt good after that. I didn't stoop to his level !

I'm on vacation next week (for 1 week only) so I figure that if I keep this up this week, I'll get a change to unwind the next week ! LOL

This week, I'm still going to work on the under-reacting. I'm going to take it easy on purpose. I'm not going to rush and I'm going to concentrate on my breathing. (Still no caffeine and extra sugar)....I slipped up on the extra salt, but I'm back on track now.)

Hope all is going well with everyone and I hope that everyone it taking steps to improve every day !

berengar · Post by **berengar** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:49 am

Great job! Keep it up and remember how good it felt to under-react! I made a point within the past few days to not walk, talk and drive so fast. I mean, why am I in such a rush to get to where I am going? I didn't even get mad when a few people pulled out in front of me, then drove very slowly. Who knows, if they hadn't been there maybe I would have gone to fast and been in an accident... you never know when something is happening for a reason, so it is best to under-react and just go with the flow.

Thank you for sharing. I see I am also not alone in my journey to live a calmer life.

THH · Post by **THH** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:50 am

Berenger, Thanks for the tip on the book.

pberg69 · Post by **pberg69** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:16 am

I am new to the program and this is my first time posting (anywhere, ever) so this was my goal for the day.

I had a therapist that recommended making a weekly or daily goals chart. I just made an excel sheet and put in my goals for the week and then gave myself a sticker on the days I was successful. I loved the stickers just like in kindergarten - IT WAS AWESOME!!! I was then able to look back and see how much or little progress I had made. It also helped to remind what I needed to accomplish, like relaxing.

Hitting the post now button is harder then I anticipated.....Here goes!

manofmusic · Post by **manofmusic** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:48 pm

berengar - I did what you did today. I did the speed limit and when I came up to a yellow light, I actually stopped ! LOL

pberg69 - Welcome ! It's so important to make goals. It keeps the mind off of the anxiety. Hope you post here everyday !

Lindalee · Post by **Lindalee** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:17 pm

Hi everone, I haven't posted much. I started the program last April, did the program pretty well I thought and then decided to help my daughter drive from Oregon to Ohio back to college. My worst situation for axiety is riding and driving on highways, the more lanes and more traffic and more trucks the worse I get. I thought it I could do it and the practice would cement my progress. I was able to drive on 2 lane highways with little traffic out west, but the cities and the more east we went the more traffc there was and I did not cope well. After arriving in Columbus, OH I strongly avoided the highways and spent much time alone feeing depressed as my family went places without me. My son expressed his concern that my axiety was worse than it had been the last time he had seen me ride on the highway a year ago.
So, what happened, did I just overwhelm myself? Am I really worse than I was before? What now, do I give up, go on meds? For now I've decided to do the program again, and this time work it even more completely, and I think I will actually take those herbs StressCenter mails to me that have just sat in my cupboard.
I also want to connect with you who understand what I'm going through.
I'm living alone now, back in Oregon. My husband is in Ohio. I find it hard to get anything done. I'm so used to doing things for and to please other people that without someone here I just don't do anything. I like the idea of goals for each day and week, I think that will help.