One More Step

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jillzmind
Posts: 557
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:52 am

Post by jillzmind » Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:34 pm

Well today I did it again I got up and vegged for a while and caught myself in that lazy trap so I jumped up and got showered and then had the courage and motivation to get out and I ended up going to drop off some donations and then went to the bank. I haven't been to a bank alone in about a YEAR and it's a bank inside of Wally world so that was very uncomfortable for me but I went in and looked straight ahead and saw THANK GOD that no one was in line at the bank..yay! And the teller was crabby but I made her laugh and wished her a "Great rest of the day" and she smiled and said "you too" so I felt really good about my day.
I am known to make soooo many excuses for things that require me making a stretch out of my comfort zone bubble. That's just got to stop. It's only hurting me!!
I feel good :)

Jill~

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:52 pm

Mike -

You're right that self-doubt is my biggest obstacle in using affirmations. I know rationally that positive thinking is good for me but putting it into practice has proved to be difficult. I suppose it's one more bad habit I need to overcome along my path towards recovery. I have to admit that there's a part of me deep down that believes I'll never get much better than I am now. But I know that is a false belief. I've come through this before and there's nothing that can stop me from doing it again.

I'm glad that writing your August 8th post was healing for you. While I was just in the right place at the right time, I'm happy that I could be a part of it. By the way, thank you for all of the positive things you had to say.

Regarding the two affirmations that you thought were problematic, my opinion is simply how you interpret them. If you see them as excuses to continue negative behavior, then your correct. However, if you see them as a form of self forgiveness, then I still think they have a positive message. Remember that our goal is not to become perfect but just to improve ourselves.

Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:02 pm

Jilly -

Good point. I've forgotten that I started this thread as a place to share goals and accomplishments although I'm glad that the thread has broadened to include other things and hope everyone continues to post whatever they feel is helpful. It seems that I too am "guilty" of letting my goal-setting take a back seat.

I'm glad to hear that you're back on track with your goal of "suiting up" every day. While getting ready in the morning and taking a shower might not appear like much on the surface, it is very much a reflection of how we take care of ourselves in general. You're taking an important action that shows yourself that you care how you feel and that you deserve to feel good. You already have seen the positive effects with your mood, attitude, and motivation.

Great job getting out today and facing your fears at the bank. It sounds like not only did you take a step forward in your recovery but also made someone else's day a bit brighter too. I'm glad to see you stretching your boundaries. As we've talked about before, we're capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. Keep up the great work.

Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:08 pm

I've been having a really good week so far. Right now my company is letting me work up to half time at home and is increasing my weekly hourly goal by five hours every two weeks. I'm just finishing my second week of twenty hours.

I've been pushing myself a bit harder and can see a difference. I'm ahead of my hourly goal already and just have a few more left to finish the week. Plus I was able to get into the office today and put in a couple hours there too. I'm really proud of how well I handled myself today and look forward to doing more in the coming days and weeks.

Next week my goal increases to 25 hours per week. Since I'm limited to twenty hours of work at home that means I'll need to put in at least five hours in the office. I'm feeling confident that I can accomplish this and am excited to see how much I can do. I'm not going to beat myself up if I can't reach this goal since I know this is a big step for me but I'm going to make every effort to make it happen. I'm not going to sell myself short; I am capable of doing this and have everything I need to have a successful outcome.

Let's do it!
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

NinjaFrodo
Posts: 1263
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:00 am

Post by NinjaFrodo » Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:53 pm

Perhaps you could start off using some affirmations that are small and don't counter some of the big problems just yet so you can gain confidence that they work. You could look through the ones i posted on my scripts page and pick one out and just read that for awhile and see what happens. Or you can wait till you have one of those eureka moments when you feel more motivated and positive and use it then. Hmm how to help others overcome self-doubt? Well I know that the affirmations are working for me so whats so diffrent between you and me? We have the same organs, they all have the same functions, we both have the same abilities to learn and grow, so what is it that you don't have that i do?

Your welcome for the comments. I mean them.

The 2 affirmations would definately work as thought replacements but are counter productive as affirmations. The way i see it is that it does make me continue negative behavior. I could use them only if i'm already getting to bed late in order to forgive myself. I have noticed that ya it actually demotivates me to follow my sleep goal but it was very effective in calming me down when i first started to replace my thoughts with it after it was later than the time i wanted to go to sleep.


Mike
Here is the link to the Letting Go thread which is designated for venting
http://forum.stresscenter.com/viewtopic ... 52&t=25087

You can follow me on Twitter, same username or check out my blog

http://ninjafrodo.blogspot.com/

jillzmind
Posts: 557
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:52 am

Post by jillzmind » Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:03 pm

Jamie!!!!
I am doing the Happy Dance, the Dance of Joy! I am so proud of you for getting some time in at the office. Way cool of you :)

I have a problem with affirmations because when I read alot of them in the "what to say when you talk to yourself" they didnt sound like me at all and they were things I'd probably never say so I have had to work at finding thing that match what I would actually say. Does that make sense? I am not sure I am. But I know that there are so many tools out there and anything that can help someone we should go for it and at least try em. Anyway It's late and I have lots to do tomorrow. Have a great rest of the week and Keep on Keepin on!
xo

Jill~

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:13 pm

Mike -

One word: faith. You believe (quite rightly) that affirmations will help you because you've seen that they do with your own experience. I'm still learning and haven't gotten there yet. It doesn't mean I won't, I just am a bit behind you. So that's the difference.

It doesn't mean that one of us is better than the other or more capable. It just means we're in different places right now. The good news is that we can learn and evolve so there's no reason I can't get to where you already are.

On another note, it's good that you recognize what works for you and what doesn't. That can only help in the future when you are developing new affirmations or reviewing old ones. I do see the subtle difference now a bit more clearly between affirmations and thought replacement. I can understand how those two examples could be demotivating for you.

Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:16 pm

Jilly -

Thanks! Congratulations accepted! ;)

I also have a similar issue with some affirmations. While I clearly admit that I'm not the best at using affirmations, when I do, I try to phrase them in a way that makes sense to me.

Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

berengar
Posts: 60
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:58 am

Post by berengar » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:00 am

Hi Jamie,

you are doing so well... I have been 'following' the folks on this series for a few weeks now and it is so inspiring to see strangers (well, not so much strangers anymore) being so compassionate with one another. You are clearly a very strong person for continuing to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. I once read that Spanish bullfighters (a sport I don't agree with) admit to being afraid because you are not considered brave unless you are facing fear. You cannot be considered brave unless you are facing something you are uncomfortable with.

I am continuing with my recovery as well. Often scary thoughts and 'what if' thinking try to creep in, and among other things that help, I remember the words you wrote to me about considering what is realistic and likely. Sharing the fact that you always make it through bouts of the same scary thoughts has been very comforting to me. I also enjoyed hearing that you once shared the same stress at work (makes me realize I am not the only one!).

Your courage is inspiring and I hope you continue to turn it inwards. Always pretend you are giving me advice and instead give it to yourself!

-overworked female engineer :)

SeaRunner
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:06 am

Post by SeaRunner » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:02 pm

Beranger -

You're so right. It's wonderful to have this community, most of whom have never met each other, sharing with and supporting others going through similar struggles. I appreciate your comments and thoughts. But I'm not trying to be brave...just normal! ;)

I'm glad that some of the things I've shared with you have helped. But you're correct that I need to use the same level of care with myself that I do with others. If only I was better at taking my own advice.

Keep up the good work. I'll be right there with you too, pushing our limits and reclaiming the life we have let anxiety take away.

Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters

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