Progress!

Today I made great progress and it felt amazing! Usually going places for the holidays can be a little hard for me and usually going to new places can be even harder, but today I did really well! First, when I went to a family member’s house for Thanksgiving, I was calm, ate, and had a great time. I even got a compliment from my cousin saying how well I did. Then I went somewhere I’d never been before and got a great deal of support which really helped me get through being somewhere new. However, I give myself most of the credit; I was calm and I got through something that is normally quite difficult for me. I depended on myself and trusted that I could get through being somewhere that I wasn’t used to, and I did it! I am so thankful that I was able to face my anxiety! I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Also, remember when you experience success to hold onto that feeling and remember how amazing it feels to know that you can succeed!

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Not Worth It

Unfortunately, many of us who struggle with anxiety know what it’s like to be looked at differently and possibly even judged. There will always inevitably be those who don’t understand what we are going through and instead of being kind and considerate, choose to either look down on us or make assumptions. It can be hard to ignore judgements of others; hard to ignore when people stare at us when we’re going through anxiety or having a panic attack. We may even begin to feel as if we need to explain ourselves and our situation to others, even if we really don’t like the individual that we are explaining ourselves to. After explaining ourselves, we may begin to wonder why we did so if after all, we don’t even really care about the person or maybe even really know them that well enough.

I think sometimes the answer is simple. Let’s face it, no one really wants to be misunderstood and no one wants to be looked at as if something is wrong with them. Yesterday I experienced someone who I’ve noticed when I get anxious or am going through a panic attack, stares at me. Not to sound like a horrible person, but I don’t really like this person. However, I felt compelled to explain that I go through anxiety to her. The fact is, that we really don’t have to and shouldn’t have to feel the need to explain ourselves to others just because they don’t understand what we go through. It’s one thing if you want to explain yourself because a person is a family member or friend and you want to share with them your struggles and feelings, but it’s another thing if you feel you need to explain so you won’t be looked at differently or treated poorly. I don’t really know this person, she’s rude, and obviously doesn’t care enough to try and understand what I go through on her own. After explaining to her about my anxiety, I regret it because, honestly, it wasn’t worth my time and I feel ashamed to have let her bother me.

It’s normal to want others to understand and it’s normal to not want people to draw false conclusions. Unfortunately however, people are going to think what they want to and we shouldn’t waste our time and energy on people that can’t be kind without an explanation. Also, people that we will never see again and that we don’t even know that well aren’t worth worrying about when it comes to what they think about us. If people are so rude that they stare or draw false conclusions and judge, then it’s not worth it to try and explain to them what we’re going through. We need to accept that some people just can’t accept that others struggle and that some people aren’t interested in being respectful or finding out the truth. Instead we should focus on those who do care about us and that we genuinely want to understand us, not because we feel that they look down on us, but because we want to share with them what we are going through. Remember, confidence should not always depend on others. If you are working as hard as you can to get through your anxiety, you shouldn’t let others make you feel poorly about what you go through.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

You Can Do It!

It may be difficult, but you can get through your anxiety. It may take longer than you wanted or not go perfectly, but you will be able to have the strength to get through your fears. While sometimes a slower process and a more difficult process than we might have hoped, with consistent practice, effort, and trust in ourselves, we will be able to overcome our anxiety.

One thing we have to keep remembering is to be proud of ourselves when we accomplish something, even if we struggled a little. For example, if you get through something but you still get anxious and struggle, this doesn’t mean you weren’t successful at overcoming your fears; you shouldn’t let others make you feel otherwise. Like I’ve mentioned before, some people will simply never understand what you go through, but this doesn’t mean that you aren’t making progress. Continue trying your hardest and never give up. Remember that you do have the strength to get through your anxiety.

Tough Times

There are times when it seems difficult to have hope and think positively. There are times when we have a difficult day, week, month, year, or even years and we wonder how we’ll ever get through our anxiety. I know the feeling and I know it’s not a great one to have. Sometimes we think of how hard it is for us to do simple things or we feel we bother others with asking for help.

However, even though there are moments when we feel we have lost hope, we can’t. We have to remember that although we may be struggling, we can get through our anxiety. If you have ever succeeded getting through your anxiety in the past, you have proven to yourself that you can. It can just seem hard to remember that we have the ability to overcome our fears because when we encounter anxiety, it seems to sometimes make us forget the positive.

I know it is not easy to always remember during a panic attack that we can get through our anxiety. However, it’s important to try our hardest to remember that we are strong and remember the times that we have faced our anxiety. If you feel you have never faced your fears, just think how this time can be your first. Here are some tips on getting through your anxiety and thinking positive even during tough times.

1.) Remember times and moments when you have faced your fears and succeeded. Remind yourself that if you could do it then, you can do it now.

2.) Tell yourself that nothing is physically wrong and that it’s just your anxiety trying to convince you that you cannot get through your anxiety.

3.) Focus on something other than your anxiety. Think about work, school, a TV show, a book.

4.) Call or email a friend or family member and talk; get your mind off of your fears.

5.) Practice and exercise consistently. If you need help staying on track, ask someone you trust and that doesn’t mind helping. People that care about you and love you will help and sometimes even if they don’t help, they still love you and care, they just don’t know how to help or deal with your anxiety.

Getting Through The Toughest Of Times

There are days in our lives that seem worse than others. Sometimes these difficult days are filled with difficult events, difficult people, or both. Today was one of those days.

Today was a day when not only did I struggle with anxiety, but I had to go to the doctor on top of it and wasn’t feeling well. Now, some of you might be saying, ‘Well, who doesn’t get nervous when going to the doctor?’. However, some of you know that for someone who has anxiety, going to the doctor can be extra difficult for many reasons.

One thing that was difficult was that because of my anxiety, I couldn’t just go to the doctor and get checked out, but I had to do things differently due to my fears getting in the way of things that could have been made much simpler. Also, I once again saw that I frustrate some of the ones I love because when I go through my anxiety, they do to in a way. This is hard because no matter how much I know I want to get better and no matter how hard I know I’m trying, no one wants to hurt the ones they love, feel like a burden to them, or feel guilty because they are putting the ones they love through something difficult.

I understand where you guys have been. Now, I can’t guarantee that I have had the exact same experiences as everyone else, but I do know what it’s like to struggle with anxiety and see others around you either frustrated or saddened by what your going through. I know how some days are rougher than others and how one thing that may make you anxious can make all your other fears seem larger and more frightening.

What you have to remember is that you can get through your anxiety. I know it can be hurtful to hear the ones you love say mean things to you because they don’t understand or want to deal with your anxiety and I know that it can be hard to find anxiety making things more difficult for you than they should. However, with practice and trust in yourself, you can get through this. Also, remember that you are not a burden, your anxiety is just trying to take control and some people simply don’t know how to help those who struggle.