I hope this helps me

[majones_0608]

My Mom and I are going to this little festival thing here in our small town today. It is fun to do each year. Every year we walk down the hill and go to the booths and see the street cars and often get something to eat. I am excited for something different. It will be great to get out of the house for a while. I have some anxiety about it though mainly because I don't know how much money to bring down there. I don't have a lot and I am concerned that I won't bring enough. Also, I am worried about sunburns and getting too hot. But my Mom said it is supposed to be colder today so I should be fine. I get so much anxiety over the stupidest things somedays. I hope and pray that my Mom and I will have fun. It will be some nice mother/daughter time.

[gajh]

I do hope it helped you to post this. I can totally relate to anxiety about going out and all of the unknowns. You are far from alone. I hope you have a wonderful day with your Mother.

[majones_0608 in reply to gajh]

It was wonderful walking down the hill and looking around at all the different booths. It was extra exercise too.

[gajh in reply to majones_0608]

It is anticipatory anxiety that gets us. There is more anxiety thinking about what we are going to have to go out and do than there is anxiety while we are doing the thing. It is never as bad as we thought it was going to be. I am so happy you had a positive experience. Well done for going. Wouldn't it be nice if this positive experience could make next time easier?

[majones_0608 in reply to gajh]

Yes sometimes knowing it was nice and positive can help for next time, but often that just does not happen. We definitely often still get scared no matter how many times we do those things. What a bummer.

[gajh in reply to majones_0608]

I know exactly. Why in the world can't I learn and have the anticipatory anxiety go away forever? I wish. Mine has been getting better over time, but some things still trigger it. Like going out by myself. I am ok now when I go out with my boyfriend. I am going to a mindfulness class on Monday night by myself. I am driving myself. This is the first time going to any type of class or group activity in many years and the first time driving in several months. I am definitely having anticipatory anxiety about it.

[majones_0608 in reply to gajh]

I have way tooooo much anxiety over driving and can't even drive anymore. I panic whenever a big vehicle or semi-truck passes by us on the road, but it was worse when I was driving. My anxiety has become worse for me. I try hard to relax and meditate so very recently it has gotten a tiny bit better, but only a little.

[gajh in reply to majones_0608]

I have been really struggling with driving too. This is just 2.6 miles from my house so I am going to go for it. That is cool that meditation has helped even if only a tiny bit. I have tried meditating in the past, but I haven't found it to be beneficial. I am giving it another chance with this class. I know the instructor which is giving me the courage to go.

[majones_0608 in reply to gajh]

Excellent. Send some of that courage my way. Lol.

[gajh in reply to majones_0608]

You had courage! You did it today! That is inspiring to me.