New and hard to get started

[cchase]

I’m new, I’m going through a lot all at once and am unsure how to get started. I’ve tried other online supports but they fell flat. I’m also on a couple of the communities for anxiety but a lot of that anxiety comes from my past traumas. Any direction on how to get started is appreciated. It seems weird to me to just start telling my stuff. I feel like a burden and am lonely.

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Hi cchase,

Welcome to the community.

I totally understand it's stressful to post, I felt this way myself.

You can have a look at our pinned posts section or at the topics list from the 'Posts' tab. It is ordered alphabetically.

I found anxiety to be one of the main issues and it is coming from the events in my life. It got much worse after started having PTSD.

What helped me most was somatic experiencing therapy and doing things that were helping me feel stronger in myself.

Finding safety is one of the most important starting points.

Having support and being able to talk to someone makes a huge difference.

I made a list of things that helped me feel more empowered and small achievements/steps really helped. I started believing in myself bit more. It reduced my anxiety because I was able to rely on my strength.

I know it takes a while and each one of us have to find our own way and what is helping us.

Have you tried any grounding techniques, mindfulness, meditation, relaxation or gentle excersise?

[cchase in reply to Nathalie99]

Hi, thank you. I have never been that successful with conventional meditation. My version is my photography which I tend to lean into when I’m really anxious (at least for the most part). Of course, when I’m having an attack I can barely tell myself to breathe let alone anything else.

[Marnie22 Volunteer]

Welcome!

You can write as much or as little as you feel you need to on this site.

I guess a place to start is to think about what you need right now.

Please don't feel like a burden.🌸🙂

[cchase in reply to Marnie22]

Thank you, it’s nice to be able to reach out and receive comfort 😊

[Shy_Guy]

Welcome, I think it will take time to figure out what you feel comfortable with sharing. Older posts will give you an idea of how the community treats each other. I have found that everyone here are very respectful and helpful. There are people all over the world so I would try to be patient with replies. It takes some time because when you are awake some people on the other side of the world are asleep. Good luck to you. You are not alone.

[cchase in reply to Shy_Guy]

Thank you 😊

[Lindyloo53 Volunteer]

Hello and welcome to the community. You do not have to disclose your history that led to trauma here in the group. Share only what you need to for yourself. Often times people share the good gains they have made and also any current challenges they are having on their healing journey.

Just a note if you are disclosing from your history please could you place a trigger warning first so others don’t just stumble into it. I often do it like this.

***trigger warning***

That allows those who are not feeling great at the time to pass the comment by and for others to give your comment the attention is rightly deserves.

I wish you well on your journey.

[cchase in reply to Lindyloo53]

Good tips, thank you!