An improved day

I woke a couple times during the night feeling like my heart was racing. I was able to deep breathe myself back to sleep. I woke for the day feeling a lot of my usual symptoms - tingling in my arms, hands (why does it so often start on the left side?), tightness around my forehead, sides of head, stomach churning, shakiness. I actively chose to talk myself through it, reminding myself that I have felt all of this before and it will pass, or at the very least, lessen. It was a process. It could have easily turned to a panic attack, but it didn't. And then once I'd calmed down enough I decided to go to the store before the heavy snow starts. I'm not a fan of driving. I actually haven't been driving for very long, just a couple years even though I'm older. I've had a couple accidents in the beginning and then got so scared that I stopped for a long time. I've been getting better and more consistent, but had yet another silly, stupid accident a few weeks ago. I haven't let it stop me again. But going out today was a little nerve wracking. I wouldn't have done it if I had felt very shaky. And I did it! Even after the night and morning I had, I still did it. I feel proud of myself. I know not all days will be like this, but I am trying to appreciate the small successes of today.

Thank you for letting me share. Thank you for letting me carry your words of strength and encouragement with me throughout my days.

What a wonderful success! Actually, technically,....what a wonderful series of successes you've experienced.

I was picking up on a few words and phrases in your post,...such as:

"I was able to deep breathe myself back to sleep."

"I actively chose to talk myself through it."

"I've been getting better and more consistent."

"I haven't let it stop me again."

"Even after the night and morning I had, I still did it."

.....and then: "I'm trying to appreciate the small successes of today."


Those are extremely powerful statements that you made, and very strong actions. I, too, feel proud of you, because you first acknowledged that anxiety was trying to grab onto you and you kicked it to the curb and took charge of your own well-being and your own actions.

You even faced the nervousness of driving, and you did it!

This is huge! I view what you've written as double-successes because while you knew what your body was attempting (and didn't hide from it), you made conscious and deliberate choices to move forward.

Very nicely done. I look forward to your continued successes! (<-- plural, see that? Plural!)

:)



M.