The first step of not being afraid....

[Calm_mama]

"The first step of not being afraid.... is acting like you're NOT afraid."

Saw The Avengers last night! And this little pearl was spoken during one of the trailers. From a goofy, animated kid movie called "The Secret Lives of Pets 2".

This "first step" statement is supported by a plethora of research. It is one of the key concepts upon which CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for anxiety is based. Act like you are fearless and you will start to think fearlessly. And because how we THINK is tied so closely with how we FEEL, behavior change eventually translates into feeling better/good.

Easier said than done Which is why this can be a long, stumbling, difficult process. And why I advocate for therapy therapy therapy and more therapy. And if therapy is too expensive/too difficult to attain, there are lots of self-help resources out there to support and help people on their journey. And, thank God, sites like this with such amazing people to support, encourage and help.

Wishing everyone lots of luck and courage on their journeys

[Agora1]

Calm_mama, And more therapy it sounds like you and I could write a book on "Therapy" .

Way to go xx

[Calm_mama in reply to Agora1]

YES AGORA LET'S DO IT!!!

[a_work_in_progress]

Thanks for sharing this. 👍

[JAYnLA]

Great reminder for this morning. Thank you.

[Sunnidayz1]

Awesome post!

Therapy, therapy, therapy. Absolutely!!!

[Jeff1943]

"Act like you are fearless and you will start to think fearlessly". What wonderful advice and like all good ideas it's simple. Simple to understand, that is, making it happen takes lots of time and practice. But hey, we've got plenty of that!

Thank you for sharing this thought with us, Calm_mama.

[brettedwardcory]

Yeah! I can attest to this in my own life! Often, I would have anxiety triggered by an obsessive thought on what will go wrong. If I catch the thought, I can disagree with it and CHOOSE not to indulge in it. I actually had a massive success with this today! I am moving from omaha to the northwest pacific to start a new life in California to pursue an opportunity and healthy church community + a career! I am excited, but I could feel a panic attack coming on today. But, thinking fearlessly and breaking the pattern can destroy any anxious thought once we make it a pattern. Our brain is a muscle!

Thank you for the Mic drop Calm_mama!!!!

[Calm_mama in reply to brettedwardcory]

Awesome! Yes, our brain IS a muscle!

U will LOVE it out here in Cali!! ☀️🌴

[brettedwardcory in reply to Calm_mama]

Your from Cali?! I seriously cant wait! I will be in Redding California! Idk if you have been up in that area! Mountains, beautiful landscape, and really cool people!

[Calm_mama in reply to brettedwardcory]

I've lived near Bay Area now since 1993. I have been all over the state! The lakes up near Shasta are gorgeous. Trinity Alps is one of my favorite destinations of all time. You'll love it. Have no fear- you are on a very exciting journey!!

[brettedwardcory in reply to Calm_mama]

Being in the bay area gave me the chills! Its so pretty. I went up there to see my brother this winter, and I FELL IN LOVE! The lakes and trinity alps are unlike anything else I have seen! So much to explore! Yes! No fear Thank you for the encouragement!