Practicing acceptance while in action

[Eklektik]

Hi, hope all of you are as well as can be considering your particular circumstances.

I am trying to apply acceptance to my anxiety attacks. When I am home, I have opportunities to stand still and observe it. There is always still a part of my mind that hopes acceptance will make anxiety go a way, so it is not totally acceptance but I hope to get there. At home, I fancy that I make a cozy spot for my anxiety to stay with me, I even venture taking care of it.

Today, anxiety came while watching netflix with my manfriend, a usually calm moment. Upon finishing an episode, we went to vote for municipal elections. It is a beautiful fall day and we walked hand in hand. The anxiety was there and I was a bit at a loss as how to accept it. Just the fact of going for a walk is usually a strategy against anxiety, but I was aiming for acceptance so I tried to feel the feelings of anxiety, which got kinda worse. I still tried to stay in touch, I wanted to be present to my manfriend even if anxiety was there. I figured, I don't want anxiety to spoil the moment, I want to do this even if I am anxious. It felt more like an exposition exercise than acceptance.

Anyhow, we went and voted, had a nice walk and at the moment, my anxiety is almost all gone.

I guess I have to wait for it to come back to practice some more. Sounds a bit crazy.

Just wanted to share my beginnings with acceptance with anyone who chooses that path.

Thanks, be in peace.

[Agora1]

Hi Eklektik, You did good but it's not about waiting for anxiety to come backin order to learn about acceptance. It's daily practice of meditation and breathing

that will keep you prepared in the long run.

When you were walking, I could imagine that the thought of anxiety making it's

appearance wasn't far from your mind. As long as Anxiety is even a thought, it will

grow. Breathing properly also plays a big part in keeping anxiety at bay.

When at home go to YouTube and listen to the many wonders that Breathing Techniques

play on stress as well as pain. The Power of the Mind is unbelievable. The Mind/Body

Connection is so strong that once you have control of your Mind (thoughts) the physical

symptoms will fade away. In itself, that is acceptance. xx

[Eklektik in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much Agora1. You are so right that Acceptance should be a daily practice. I have an inkling that if strengthen it while I am at peace, if will be stronger when I am in turmoil. Anxiety and physical symptoms were there pretty much for the whole walk. I was aiming for anxiety and a beautiful walk be there at the same time, not spoil or avoid the walk with anxiety. Mission not far from accomplished. I'll try and remember breathing next time. You are always so kind and full of good advice, thanks again!

[Agora1 in reply to Eklektik]

Practice makes perfect. I was exactly where you are at one time.And now, I can sit back and laugh in Anxiety's face. It no longer has

my attention. We are all here to help you through. You've got this xx

[Eklektik in reply to Agora1]

Thanks so much for giving me hope

[designguy]

Good for you Eklektik, you're making progress, it will feel odd and even forced initially but stick with it. Celebrate your wins no matter how small they seem to you at the time. As you make more progress you may have times when it feels weird not having the anxiety but that is just part of the growth process. Just keep at it.

[Eklektik in reply to designguy]

Hello DesignGuy, thanks for your words of encouragement. It does feel weird. This morning, it actually felt as if anxiety was getting worse while I was trying to accept it. Maybe it is a matter of letting it take all the place it wants? But I survived ok Be well and thanks again.

[designguy]

You're welcome and yes, it probably will seem like it is worse before it starts getting better. Part of it is our anxious mind still reverting to our old fearful thinking and still thinking that it has to "protect" you, it takes time and trust to have that decrease. It's also your mind and body still being sensitized to the anxious thoughts and feelings which also take time to dissipate. In the near future you will look back and have the same anxious thoughts but find they no longer make you anxious because your mind and body will be desensitized.

One thing that is helpful with anxiety recovery is to investigate and figure out what your triggers are. For instance with mine, I grew up in an emotionally repressive family environment and was punished and shamed for being angry and standing up for myself. I was also bullied in school so I developed social anxiety and also had a lot of repressed anger and rage that I stuffed all of which contributed to my anxiety disorder. Knowing my story allowed me to seek the right kind of help and therapy and how to manage when I am triggered.

The key for anxiety recovery is to never believe your anxious thoughts and learn to accept our anxious thoughts and feelings despite being uncomfortable. Ask yourself "is this a real threat or just my imagination". Ultimately it's about accepting all of ourself and knowing we are ok despite external circumstances. Best to you.

[ongaku666]

I think you did beautifully. In fact while I was reading, I imagined you holding your manfriend hand on one side and your anxiety alongside you holding your other hand. It looked peaceful, despite the feelings you were obviously experiencing.

Anxiety is by definition intrusive. I also find myself just trying to witness the feelings that come up from it, it's hard. But I hope you continue to be understanding and compassionate towards yourself. Baby steps for all of us!

[Eklektik]

Thanks and oh yes ongaku666, baby steps is the best approach to so many things! You talk about witnessing the feelings that come up from anxiety. My question may be weird, but where/when do you do this? I tend to be able to do it when I'm in bed, about to sleep, or in the morning upon waking up. But during the day, while I work, while we eat and do stuff, it is not as obvious. Sometimes it will go away because I'm too busy and the anxiety is not too high, or anxiety takes the forefront and I am more engulfed by it than I am observing it.