Camping with panic attacks

[dom410]

It's about 68 degrees with a cool breeze. I'm supposed to be camping. I told my friends I'd meet them at this spot that's an hour and a half away. Kids are looking forward and so is my wife. I was going to white knuckle it and just go.

All it took was my wife saying " We're not going to get there until 8:30 -9 if we have to wait for Riley's (our daughters) volleyball game to be over. Maybe we should just go early tomorrow".

That's all it took for me to have an excuse to chicken out. I wish I could have to guys to not have anxiety. I love the woods, I love to hike. Why do I get so freaked out because of sleeping in a tent at night? Hell I even bought a battery for my cpap machine so I don't embarrass myself with snoring.

How do I get over this insane fear? Is this just one of those things you have to white knuckle through? Heck, I have even camped before, why can't I see that victory and use it to go confidentially?

[Hidden]

Good for you!! I did that in July. First time in 15 years. I stressed getting packed, making plans, buying the supplies but it was the best thing I have done in years. I absolutely loved it. We went hiking, kayaking, had smores and hot dogs, went swimming in the lake, ice cream, watermelons. It was one of my favorite memories with my daughter. It is so worth it. Let go and enjoy and keep the memories forever. Cpap in the woods!! 🤣🤣🤣 Not funny, I get it. Have fun!!

When I went it was 104!!

[dom410 in reply to Hidden]

I would skip the dumb machine but I think my family would murder me

[Hidden in reply to dom410]

It's necessary. I was joking. Let them sleep!

[dom410 in reply to Hidden]

I know. Haha I just wish it made Darth Vader sounds

[Hidden in reply to dom410]

That would be cool!

[CatIsMyCopilot]

I'm sorry you're feeling this way :/ I had a mantra when I was going through my first (and worst) anxiety attacks: "Don't force yourself, just simply proceed based on the well-founded belief that you can." For example, I would be afraid to go to the grocery store, thinking I'd get overwhelmed and freak out. So I didn't force myself, I just proceeded to the grocery and shopped, knowing that I've done all that a million times. Anyone looking at the evidence would say "Yes, this girl is capable of going to the grocery store." So I would choose to believe that evidence. This is sort of based on the Claire Weekes "float" idea explained here: anxietycoach.com/claire-wee...

So try not to white-knuckle or force it, just proceed knowing that you can. Hearing the preparation you did, it certainly sounds to me (random person on the internet) like you are a person who can go camping with his family, so proceed based on that.

I hope this helps, and I hope you end up having fun camping.

[dom410 in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Honestly, that is some of the best advice I have ever seen. I used to get nervous going shopping because I didn't think of myself as stuck there. But now I'm wondering if I just proceeded to the store and had the mind set of not overthinking it. Thanks, I think tomorrow I will simply proceed to the campground and proceed to set up my tent.

[MRawPR in reply to dom410]

That’s the attitude. My fear of camping is the snakes 🐍 😱... we don’t have snakes in Puerto Rico so I am not used to being near snakes... but we’re planning a camping weekend with family so let’s see how it goes!!!