Hello ..... I have a question for anyone out there that feels like they slipped back after completing the program. I just completed the program and felt absolutely wonderful. I had a great summer....I was off from work for 2 months with my kids during the summer. I started the program in May and was just getting into the program when I stopped working. I'm back to work now full time (started week three today). I was nervous the first couple of days, then I was into it...but last week, by the end of the week, I was utterly exhausted! Spacey and exhausted. The weekend was OK, not totally recuperative, and last nite, I started with my stomach turning and all its knots. Today, I have my favorite ugly obsession back, my neck and shoulders are tight and I feel withdrawn and depressed. I'm still walking every day, but the symptoms just crept right back in. My current lifestyle is reality to me. My schedule is busy, my kids' schedule is busy and from now until June, every day is just about filled. I say this, because the bulk of my recovery was done while not working and during the summer months. Life was so much slower and easier. I feel a bit discouraged because I felt so great and now I'm a little nervous about all these old symptoms popping up now. I'm beginning to doubt if I can handle the normal day to day stressors?? Just checking in with anyone that can relate??? Thanks so much.
Lynn
I think I'm slipping back
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Guest
I went through most of the program by myself, and then I realized that I needed something more, and did the coaching. I finished that (went through the whole program, again), and a few days after finishing, I had a big "growth spurt". I felt like I had regressed completely, but that was not true. I waited a few weeks, and then I started the program again, and that's where I am now....on lesson 10. I am telling you all this to give you some background, and to just tell you about my experiences. I feel that I will always need to "brush up" on several lessons, most notably # 3,4 and 9 and 10. If I just let things "slide", it is not good for me. That does not mean that I have to put in all the time and attention that I did when I was doing the coaching, but I also don't think that I can just "forget" the program and think that I am "cured", and that I will never have to do anything else again. I am very aware of the things that are "triggers" for me, and I try to be mindful and do all that is necessary to stop a full-blown PA. I also must say that I have had this problem all my life, due to severe childhood abuse. I am sure it is different for other people. I have had a life-long problem, and I am sure that it will be life-long awareness and vigilance for me, so that I don't slip back into complacency, and find myself having anxiety, depression, and PAs again. I think it is really individual for every person....all I can do is try to manage myself the best way I can, and hope that that is good enough. So this is a long-winded way of saying you need to do what works for you and what is best for you. I would love to think that I am, or will be soon "cured", but maybe that is not possible for me, and as long as I can manage the symptoms, that is good enough for me. Best of luck to you.
Hi,
I'm only a few weeks through but I do understand your concern. Sometimes I feel like I’m doing very well for days or weeks at a time, but then for seemingly no reason I get anxious and nervous. The interesting thing to me is that I had felt this way for many years and basically ignored it not realizing that I and my loved ones were suffering the consequences of this in terms of me not embracing the good things in life the way we are all meant to.
But now when I feel this way I really do slow myself down and utilize my cards, skills and whatever else I have learned so far to bring me out of it or just get through it (float). I think that now when we are feeling this way it might seem a little more profound but that is because we are more aware of it but we are also able to control it better than before.
As for you and feeling this way now, this normally would be a stressful time for anyone. Returning to work is a big deal but as hard as this sounds embrace the nervousness as justifiable excitement, the exhaustion as a simple fact of a busy life. For me school has just started, my wife, a teacher and our children are back to work and pretty anxious about it after being off all summer. I now recognize her feelings as feelings that I often have had but didn't deal with as well as her. Of course now I find myself coaching her a little bit when she is particularly stressed.
Sometimes I wonder when I finish this, will all my old problem thoughts and anxiousness come back (a what if thought). When I think that, I replace it with if it happens it happens, It never really completely stopped me before and at least now I'm so much better equipped to handle it.
Let me ask you something, When I'm off for a few days from work I feel that same nervousness the night before that you describe. I have had other people tell me without my solicitation, how on Sunday's they can't sleep or their anxious about the new week etc.. Of course these people don't have or would never admit to having any emotional issues..which is fine of course. But the point I'm trying to make (forgive the runup here) Is that when we go to work and meet and work with our peers, Is it really that bad? Was the night before’s nervousness and anxiousness justified? More often than not it probably isn't. Also there is no harm in reviewing a past CD or lesson, try the relaxation cd, or actively create your own serene image when you get a moment.
Congrats on going back to work..be well
I'm only a few weeks through but I do understand your concern. Sometimes I feel like I’m doing very well for days or weeks at a time, but then for seemingly no reason I get anxious and nervous. The interesting thing to me is that I had felt this way for many years and basically ignored it not realizing that I and my loved ones were suffering the consequences of this in terms of me not embracing the good things in life the way we are all meant to.
But now when I feel this way I really do slow myself down and utilize my cards, skills and whatever else I have learned so far to bring me out of it or just get through it (float). I think that now when we are feeling this way it might seem a little more profound but that is because we are more aware of it but we are also able to control it better than before.
As for you and feeling this way now, this normally would be a stressful time for anyone. Returning to work is a big deal but as hard as this sounds embrace the nervousness as justifiable excitement, the exhaustion as a simple fact of a busy life. For me school has just started, my wife, a teacher and our children are back to work and pretty anxious about it after being off all summer. I now recognize her feelings as feelings that I often have had but didn't deal with as well as her. Of course now I find myself coaching her a little bit when she is particularly stressed.
Sometimes I wonder when I finish this, will all my old problem thoughts and anxiousness come back (a what if thought). When I think that, I replace it with if it happens it happens, It never really completely stopped me before and at least now I'm so much better equipped to handle it.
Let me ask you something, When I'm off for a few days from work I feel that same nervousness the night before that you describe. I have had other people tell me without my solicitation, how on Sunday's they can't sleep or their anxious about the new week etc.. Of course these people don't have or would never admit to having any emotional issues..which is fine of course. But the point I'm trying to make (forgive the runup here) Is that when we go to work and meet and work with our peers, Is it really that bad? Was the night before’s nervousness and anxiousness justified? More often than not it probably isn't. Also there is no harm in reviewing a past CD or lesson, try the relaxation cd, or actively create your own serene image when you get a moment.
Congrats on going back to work..be well
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Guest
Hi Sidd,
Work is work for most people, hence, the old saying, "The worst day fishing is better than the best day working." Do you like your job, generally? How are the skills you learned in the program working on the job? Do you enjoy the activity level with your children? Having raised two very active boys, I know how easy it is to get overcommitted. How are the time management skills you learned in the program working? Are you making committments you really don't want to? Exhaustion is a great instigator of anxiety. Are there committments you could delegate, or simply say no to? Finally, are you still taking "me time"? Without "me time" it is easy to get exhausted, frustrated, and even resentful. Then, if those feelings are ignored, the ante is upped, and physical symptoms begin to appear. (I speak all this from personal experience:( )
I currently work full time, but did not always work full time while the boys were growing up. Part of the time I worked part time, part of the time I worked early so I could wrap up by 3pm, and part of the time I was home. One of the feelings I encountered while working was a sadness that I couldn't be with the boys all the time they were not in school. Could you be feeling that?
Have you thought about working through the program again? Are you still doing the relaxation CD?
These are the thoughts that come to mind. I will be thinking about you. Keep in touch:)
Darb
Work is work for most people, hence, the old saying, "The worst day fishing is better than the best day working." Do you like your job, generally? How are the skills you learned in the program working on the job? Do you enjoy the activity level with your children? Having raised two very active boys, I know how easy it is to get overcommitted. How are the time management skills you learned in the program working? Are you making committments you really don't want to? Exhaustion is a great instigator of anxiety. Are there committments you could delegate, or simply say no to? Finally, are you still taking "me time"? Without "me time" it is easy to get exhausted, frustrated, and even resentful. Then, if those feelings are ignored, the ante is upped, and physical symptoms begin to appear. (I speak all this from personal experience:( )
I currently work full time, but did not always work full time while the boys were growing up. Part of the time I worked part time, part of the time I worked early so I could wrap up by 3pm, and part of the time I was home. One of the feelings I encountered while working was a sadness that I couldn't be with the boys all the time they were not in school. Could you be feeling that?
Have you thought about working through the program again? Are you still doing the relaxation CD?
These are the thoughts that come to mind. I will be thinking about you. Keep in touch:)
Darb
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Guest
Thank you everyone for the feedback. I am reviewing the cd's again. I listened to session two yesterday and I will continue to build on them once again. The time management one will be next. When you get into a busy schedule like this, it is so easy to forget to take care of yourself. Thank you for the reminders. This program is so valuable and the lessons are there at our disposal every day. This alone gives me some comfort. Once again...you are all wonderful for responding and I appreciate your advice.
Take care everyone...
Lynn
Take care everyone...
Lynn