A Different Path

[Sober2007]

I feel pretty good so far today. What I have learned is that my anxiety and depression do not need to completely rule my life. There are many tools available that I can use to help address and relieve the symptoms – these include sharing and trying to help others, deep breathing, meditation, prayer, journaling, mindfulness, therapy/CBT, exercise, proper rest, healthier eating habits, correct use of medications, etc. It is the combination of these things that seems to be working better for me. Above all, there is acceptance, which is something I never had before. Acceptance of myself as I am, someone who faces the challenges of anxiety and depression and all the struggles that come with it. Acceptance that life is full of challenges and obstacles for all people, and that mine are just what they are. I am at my best when I keep moving, keep trying, keep living – no matter how I feel – that is the path to finding strength. It is by going through challenges and learning to face them that I can grow, change and improve along a path to recovery. There will always be ups and downs. Before learning more about what was going on with me, I just allowed the anxiety and depression to dominate me. The thoughts and feelings scared me and so I became even more anxious, confused and overwhelmed. I avoided dealing with things as they were by running to drugs, alcohol, gambling, whatever I could use to escape momentarily. Eventually, all those things failed. Today I have learned that I am not totally powerless over anxiety and depression. There are plenty of things I can do to try to help myself. The more I learn to do these things - the more they become ingrained in me - the better chance I have of being a friend among friends and a useful participant in the drama of life. I used to think that all I wanted was to be happy somehow. What I want now is to be more present and useful. I no longer want to wallow in self-centered misery. I don’t want to go back to how I felt at any point in my life, even the times I thought I was happier. Instead, I want to become the best version of me that I have ever been. Anxiety and depression truly brought me to my knees, but now I am learning to walk a different path.

[Agora1]

Sober, your post is a winner. Not until we get to the acceptance and

understanding that you are at, will we start to once again gain control

of our lives. Congratulations in moving forward by learning, accepting

and not allowing anxiety to dominate your world. You've got this xx

[Sober2007 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks Agora, I hope you have an awesome day!

[Agora1 in reply to Sober2007]

You too my friend xx