Newbie nervous about upcoming retreat

[BarbOnTheMountain]

Hello. I'm signed up for a silent retreat next weekend and I'm nervous about it. It won't be entirely silent and I will probably have to talk at some point. Thinking of not going.

[mjlitl13]

I used to be afraid to speak up in groups.

What changed all that was when I joined a support group (AL-ANON ACOA).

The thing that helped me to open up was that fact that, at these meetings, no one HAS to share/talk!

Are you going to this retreat alone or with a friend? If not, do you know anyone who will be at the retreat? I always feel better if there is one person I feel comfortable with. Someone with whom I can share how I'm feeling.

Have you been to any Self-Help meetings?

I didn't attend a retreat until after I had been going to Self-Help meetings for awhile.

Good luck and whatever you ultimately decide will be the right decision for you, for now. So, don't "best yourself up" about it.

MJ

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to mjlitl13]

Thanks so much for your reply. I don't know anyone attending the retreat; 27 people are attending; I will have to cook a meal with at least one other person.

I have not attended self-help groups, don't know where to find one, but would if I could.

Thanks again

Barb

[mjlitl13 in reply to BarbOnTheMountain]

Hi Barb,

To find a Self-Help group you can Google Self-Help groups. Also, since there are no longer any ACOA meetings in my area, I found a different group which seems very similar through a site called meetup.com. So, you can try that.

If you DO go to the retreat, maybe you will be able to bond with the person you will be cooking with.

Good Luck,

MJ

[Morganax in reply to BarbOnTheMountain]

Hello Barb, It's ironic I was just searching the internet for self help groups for any issues that I am going through 😊, however I found this Organization called Share. They offer meetings every Sunday thru Saturday on Anxiety, depression, A.A. Etc.. Please check it out. I've attended meetings in the past there. I hope they are offered in your city. Warm regards

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to Morganax]

Thanks for the info, I'll check into it.

Barb

[sweetiepye]

If you are able to do this you will feel so positive about yourself , and if not then you are just not ready yet. I can tell you there will be some discomfort there is for everyone. So you probably will not be noticed as much as you might think. Keep it short and sweet . I usually start by admitting how nervous I am and you could say that you wanted to share something while you can. You will do much better than you expect to and it will grow you. Pam

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to sweetiepye]

Thank you Pam for the pep talk. I appreciate your insight and good suggestions.

Barb

[BarbOnTheMountain]

Wellbeingconferencecenter.com

[anich]

You could make it said that you don't feel comfortable talking outloud and still enjoy it by being there and to feel stress free

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to anich]

Yes I could do that. I do want to hear a talk that will be given.

Thanks for your reply.

Barb

[BarbOnTheMountain]

I think someone wanted to know about the retreat that I'm attending.

[mjlitl13 in reply to BarbOnTheMountain]

Barb,

I thought I was responding to Helpmeout who was asking "how do you sign up".

But, are you definitely going or are you AT the retreat now???

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to mjlitl13]

I'm trying to psych myself up to go next Friday. I'm supposed to cook a meal with two other people on Saturday and I'm waiting to hear from Suzanne so we can discuss the meal plan. I don't know her or anyone else who will be there. She hasn't responded to my email yet.

[mjlitl13 in reply to BarbOnTheMountain]

Barb,

When did you send Suzanne the email?

If just today or yesterday, give her another day or two. She may not have seen it yet.

I DO hope you hear back from her soon. I know how nervewracking that can be.

I worry about EVERYTHING, but I am trying to slow down on that a bit. Distractions are helpful toward that end.

Too Luck and let us know how you are doing this coming week!

Hugs,

MJ

[BarbOnTheMountain in reply to mjlitl13]

Thanks for your email. I have been in touch with Suzanne (who is not going because she's sick) and Kathleen who is also on my cooking team. We have a meal planned and I'm feeling a little bit better now. Still nervous but I am going to attend.

More later after the retreat.

Thanks again.

Barb

[mjlitl13]

Hi Helpmeout,

Sign up for what? You are already here, in the HealthUnlocked community! Welcome!! This board is for Anxiety and Depression but there are lots of different boards.

Are you in the right place?

MJ

[Hidden]

Barb - does your retreat start tomorrow? I hope that you will go, and the good news is that you will be silent most of the time. The few times you do talk will be limited and people might be so relieved to talk that if you just ask them a question - you'll get a long response! People are usually more concerned about themselves and their thoughts than yours. Not that they don't care, as they will and they do. A retreat - most people are presenting their best selves - so for the most part, you can expect love and kindness and support. I have started a small index card library of quotes and sayings - one that I found the other day is "what other people think of you is none of your business" - I read it and laughed as I find it helpful for some odd reason. Good luck to you!