Going out

[Jodi_S]

Woke up this morning having slept better. I am anxious because my friend wants to take me out for lunch and shopping for my birthday tomorrow. I know I should go. I know I need to go. But I am afraid of having a panic attack while I’m out. My rational mind tells me this will be good for me. My fearful self tell me to give it more time. What should I do?

[Rilo7268]

go. anxiety will tell you to wait but there will never be a perfect time. think of it as practice. it doesnt have to go perfect. good luck.

[captained49 in reply to Rilo7268]

Go and enjoy it ! No one knows you even have anxiety except you . Practice will make you realize Anxiety is Worry !

[Kel76]

Yes go. As with other comment, anxiety will always try to hold us back.

[Jeff1943]

Go. Advise your friend it could happen but not to worry. If you have a panic attack just carry on. Accept it.

[Jodi_S in reply to Jeff1943]

She’s a great friend and I have already told her it may happen. She said we will just deal with things as they come. So I am going. It’s hard and uncomfortable, but I know if I want to get better, I have to go.

[lorianxiety in reply to Jodi_S]

I hope things go well and a happy birthday ,regardless,try and build up a more positive feeling its hard,but its better than cowering and feeling afraid,good luck Jodi

[Agora1]

Jodi, I agree. Go with your great friend, don't allow the "what ifs" to take away the great time you will have by self doubts. You not only have your friend by your side but you will

have us to guide you all the way. I want to hear what you had for lunch and how the shopping went. Lucky you to have a thoughtful friend. Live life and Enjoy. xx

[Jodi_S in reply to Agora1]

She will be here in 40 minutes. I will admit that I nervous but I will not let this beat me. I’ve lost 25 pounds so far and need some new clothes. I’m excited to see what size I am right now because my clothes are all too big and falling off of me. At least I know I’ve probably reversed the pre diabetes. Silver lining.

[Agora1 in reply to Jodi_S]

Silver Lining indeed Jodi

Take some nice calming deep breathes Nothing can stop a woman from shopping to get new clothes

Have a good time. Meanwhile I'll be trying on party hats for your birthday tomorrow

Love and Hugs. You've got this Jodi xx

[Jodi_S in reply to Agora1]

Thank you! I’ll let you know how it goes. The encouragement is greatly appreciated!

[Beevee]

Listen to your rational mind and bloody well go! Otherwise, you just reinforce the message to your brain that going out continues to be a threat when, in fact, it is the complete opposite. Feel the fear and do it anyway is the way to defeat anxiety.

[Jodi_S]

I went out with my friend. While at lunch we were trying to figure out the source of my anxiety. I think we hit the nail on the head. I am a mom of four, and my 22 year old daughter has autism. My health scare, although not serious compared to a lot of health problems, made me think for the first time in my life, of my own mortality. I am worried about my health because I am worried about what would happen to my family if God forbid, something we’re to ever happen to me. As soon as I said it out loud, I had a panic attack. Right there in the restaurant. I excused my self to the bathroom, and got myself together. The attack was less than 10 minutes. That was my trigger. Now that I know, I can work through it. I’m only 45 years old and aside from the occasional high blood pressure and the low potassium that has been reversed, I am healthy. My heart was monitored both times I was in the hospital with low potassium and aside from the occasional Flutters, my heart is healthy and happy. I’m going to be around for a long time!

I could have let the anxiety attack end the day. But I didn’t. We went shopping and boy did I shop! I bought too much stuff and spent too much money but the longer I was out, the better I felt. My heart didn’t race. I didn’t get out of breath, and I didn’t ever feel like my bp was spiking. No hot flashes, no heart palpitations.

I did it! Though I am exhausted because I haven’t done that much in two weeks, I am proud of myself and am hoping beyond hope that now that I know the source of that evil subconscious voice, I can and will overcome. I’m glad I went. And I thank all of you for your words of support.

[Agora1 in reply to Jodi_S]

Jodi, I'm crying tears of joy for you.

The strength you showed yourself is remarkable. Understanding the root of the

problem with anxiety will help you now to continue to go forward each day.

Congrats on handling the panic attack with style and grace. I'm so proud of you.

You put anxiety in it's place, where it belongs. I told you nothing was going to stop you from clothes shopping Relax this evening, you so deserve it. High Five my friend xx

[Jodi_S in reply to Agora1]

Agora1, thank you so much for that. I almost went home after the attack. I would have been so easy to do so. Aside from having my kids, it was probably one of the hardest things I ever did but sticking it out.

I know with anxiety being the devil that it is, that I will probably still have some bad days. But I will think back to today and how I went about my day and gather my strength from there.

[saturn2k in reply to Jodi_S]

Oh how wonderful..... there's a book that's titled Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.... you did it ! ! ! ! !

[Jamie5]

I have the same thing going on here. I was excited to go out with my friend but now there’s an hour until we leave and anxiety is telling me to cancel but I’m trying to calm myself down and go enjoy it.

[Jodi_S in reply to Jamie5]

Go and enjoy! It was the best thing I did for me yesterday!

[Agora1]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jodi ! This is your special day. Yesterday was only the start in your

going forward. May the coming year be filled with next starts, successes and happiness.

Put a smile on your face and go forward and enjoy your day. xx

[Jodi_S in reply to Agora1]

Thank you!!!! ❤️

[Hidden]

Dont let the darkness win ,anxiety will not win ,if u have an attack breath through it ,it will pass.i understand how u feel though x