Stress Center Peer Support

All I can say is WOW. I listened to the session 3 audio yesterday for the 1st time & it hit me like a lightning bolt & what an AH HA moment. I always thought of myself as a positive thinking person surrounded by positive people & didn't realize how negative I talk to myself. I caught myself saying things to myself that I would NEVER say to anyone else.

I have had a lot of anxiety due to past abuse - sexual, physical and emotional. I didn't realize that I had turned all this negativity inward & was holding on to it so tight that I was continuing to inflict the negativity on myself. I have always said that I am a "survivor", yet I don't think I really believed it myself until now. I had myself in the "victim" mode without knowing it.

I began making a list & doing the journal & it is already helping; but I know it won't be easy. I've had this dialog with myself most of my life & it's gonna take some work to change it; but, I'm looking forward to it.

I know just what you mean about the negative talk (when I always thought I was positive). I find one thing that helps is before I say something to myself (or even after), I think to myself--would I have said anything like that to a friend of mine or a loved one? If the answer is no, then I shouldn't be saying it to my best buddy (me) either.
And you ARE a survivor! You made it here and are working through the program. Way to go!

Terri