Special Thanks and Happy New Year!

Today I received my 2014 blogging report for WordPress and I must say it felt good. I know that everyone that starts a blog says that they didn’t expect so many readers, but to be honest, I really didn’t. I’d like to thank everyone that has not only read my blog, commented, and liked posts, but have also wrote posts on their blogs that have really helped me realize that I am not alone in my struggles. For me, reading others’ posts are just as essential as writing your own, so thank you. While as I mentioned, my thank yous extend to anyone that has ever read my blog or shared with me their struggles, I would like to give an extra special thanks to the following:

http://www.marysaverageadventures.wordpress.com: Mary, you’ve been here for me when I’ve needed to talk and you’ve also shared your own experiences. Thank you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your help!

http://www.anxiousizzy.wordpress.com: Thank you so much, Izzy. Your blog has helped me realize that people all over the world struggle with anxiety and that there are so many people working to overcome their obstacles. Also, I can tell how hard you are trying to get through your anxiety and it’s very inspirational.

http://thepersistentplatypus.wordpress.com/: Elle, you’ve helped me once again not only realize that I am not alone in dealing with anxiety, but you are proof that anxiety can be managed. You share both your experiences of anxiety taking control and you being successful in working through it. Thank you so much for sharing!

http://soundhippy.wordpress.com/: Becky, thank you so much for reading my blog and posting your own experiences. I read your blog and can really relate, which is extremely important. You are so kind and I really appreciate it.

https://calmkitchen.wordpress.com/: Thanks for all your comments and your advice on staying positive!

http://www.ruledbyfear.com: Thank you so much for being here for me and helping me with my struggles. I enjoy reading your posts and they are a tremendous help. I can’t thank you enough.

There are so many people I’d like to thank and this list is only a small sample. Again, I appreciate everyone who has ever read my blog and has shared their own insights. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Also, remember to set goals for yourself. These goals should include practicing overcoming anxiety by facing your fears in small steps and focusing on more positive things. Additionally, remember that you are never alone and that a good support system goes a long way.

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Letting Yourself Be Happy

Today I want to write about something that is a little less related to anxiety than my regular posts. I recently began something new and exciting and while I am happy to have come across the opportunity, there are others that have shared negative thoughts. While this has not caused a high level of anxiety, it has caused some and it is frustrating. I have finally found something that is making me extremely happy and have found yet another way to use my talents, and while I have had some very positive reactions, I am still receiving negative feedback. However, as much as it makes me sad to see my happiness greeted with negativity, I realize that I am doing something positive and that is what matters.

The point I am trying to make is that there are some people in the world that will always look at things in a negative way or be skeptical of your accomplishments. However, you cannot let others bring you down. Even if you are not 100% successful in whatever new opportunities have come your way, the important thing is that you tried your hardest to succeed and that you understand just how essential it is to do something that makes you happy. Just because someone else may not see the joy in what new project you are embarking upon, does not mean that you can’t.

Going through anxiety is extremely difficult and having something to look forward to is a great motivator. As long as whatever is motivating you is not harming others or yourself and makes you happy, you should not let others’ negativity get in the way.

How To Practice When Not Feeling Well (Advice Appreciated)

As we all know, practicing consistently can be difficult. For one thing, sometimes we simply grow lazy. Many of us also have busy lives or simply forget to practice and exercise. However, another time when I find it extremely hard to practice getting through my anxiety and work on exercising is when I’m not feeling well. Let’s face it, the last thing we want to do when we’re not feeling well is to walk around, exercise, and practice doing things that require a lot (or even minimal) of work. We want to rest, sleep, and do anything we can do to feel better. Sometimes we just don’t feel like practicing. The thing is though, that we still need to.

So we all need to figure out a way to practice and exercise even when we’re not feeling up to it. I know there are some exceptions; times when we absolutely can’t exercise or practice because of an extreme situation. However, for the most part, we can’t allow for any excuses to get in the way of practicing. Getting through our anxiety and learning to trust in ourselves is essential. So what do we do when we know we have to practice and exercise but we don’t feel well or up to it? Here are some tips and I look forward to any advice you may have. Thanks! Again, have a great holiday!

1.) Do simple exercises that don’t require too much work, but are still helpful.

2.) Walk around as much as you can but don’t over do it if you don’t feel you can (this is if you are not feeling well. Being lazy is not the same!)

3.) If you become anxious and for some reason you are too sick or injured to get out of bed in order to practice getting through your anxiety, find a way to get your mind off your worries. Good ways to do this is to make phone calls to those who you like talking to, reading books that are calming and enjoyable, watching TV, thinking comforting thoughts or even playing out TV shows/good situations in your mind.

If you are having trouble getting motivated to exercise and practice because you simply lack energy or motivation, here are some additional tips:

1.) Remember why you are working so hard to get better. Think of future goals and other reasons for getting through your anxiety. Remember you are worth getting better!

2.) Play some music to get yourself moving and motivated. Playing music while exercising and practicing can be both motivating and calming.

3.) Remember that without practice and exercise, getting through your anxiety will be more difficult and take longer.

Getting Through Anxiety During Stressful Times

The end of the year can bring an extra amount of anxiety for several reasons. For one thing, for some people, going to their relative’s for the holidays can be stressful for various reasons. For others, who are the hosts of the party, they can feel overwhelmed by the fact that they are responsible for their friends and family having a good time. Additionally, the end of the year comes with end of the semester classwork, exams, and in general, final grades.

Along with end of the year events, those of us who suffer with general anxiety may feel overly overwhelmed. After reading the blog, http://www.marysaverageadventures.wordpress.com, I thought it would be helpful to give everyone some additional advice when going through end of the year anxiety.

For starters, if you are in school, while you should stay motivated in order to do well, you should take breaks and not let yourself to worry so much that you make yourself sick. Also, once you are done with all of your work and waiting for your grades, remember that now that you have completed all of your work, there is really nothing else you can do. While this may make some of you more anxious, I hope that it also makes you realize that as long as you did your hardest, you deserve to sit back now and relax!

If you are stressed about going somewhere for the holidays either because you get anxious going places or because of stressful family situations, remember that you are with those who care about you. If you are nervous about hosting a party, remember that your family and friends who are coming probably all worry about the same things and no one’s house is perfectly clean; everyone has to work hard. Don’t make yourself sick over trying to impress others. Just do your best and remember to try to relax!

Have a Great Holiday!

Connecting Times of Progress and Success

As I’ve stated in previous posts, it is important that we recognize when we are successful in getting through our anxiety. Remembering and focusing on our progress helps to remind us that we do have the power to get through our fears. However, not only do we have moments of facing our fears to help recall our ability to control our anxiety, but we also have other successful moments that prove our abilities to succeed as well.

Let’s say you get a promotion at work or get a compliment from your boss or someone else, that’s progress! Let’s say you do well in school either on a paper or an exam, that’s progress as well! Let’s say you are just really proud of yourself for accomplishing something, even if has nothing to do with getting through your anxiety, you still managed to do something well. All of these things, all of these moments of success and progress should make you realize just how strong you are and just how much you can do! You need to take with you the knowledge that you’re stronger than you think and that you can get through your anxiety and do so many other wonderful things!

Anxiety: The Brain Teaser

Even though we are strong and can get through our anxiety, fear still has a way of making us feel otherwise. There may be times when we feel ourselves improving and then we go through a moment of anxiety. However, we cannot let this get us down; we cannot let our anxiety trick us into believing that we cannot get through it.

The truth is, that we are stronger than our anxiety. We need to practice and prove to ourselves that we can get through our fears so that we can look back and remind ourselves of the success we have made. Anxiety is a brain teaser; it makes us think something that isn’t true and at times, it can be difficult to overcome. However, as the old saying goes, difficult is not impossible and with trust in ourselves and consistent practice, we can get through our anxiety even if there are times when it feels like we cannot. Also, struggling does not mean failing unless you stop trying. Just as a brain teaser needs to be challenged, so does our anxiety.

Remembering Your Progress (It Helps!)

As I’ve mentioned before, many times when we are struggling with anxiety, it is hard to remember the times when we succeeded. However, it is essential to remind ourselves of the times when we got through our anxiety because it is proof that we can. This morning I was doing really well but then I became anxious. Admittedly, it got me a little upset and saddened, and I felt it begin to effect my self-esteem. Then I began to think of all the progress I’ve made lately; the progress I made on Thanksgiving, the progress I’ve made at home, and all the practicing I’ve been doing to overcome my anxiety. You know what? It helped. It reminded me that I have the strength to get through this.

You don’t have to be perfect and there may still be times when you struggle with anxiety, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the strength to get through it. Things happen, what’s important is that you never give up trying your hardest to get through your fears. You can do it!