Practicing things that make you afraid
Jul 26th, 2007 by Michelle
I have been listening to Pass Through Panic: Freeing Yourself from Anxiety and Fear [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD) on my iPod OVER AND OVER and every day I try and incorporate something I learned in my life to make it better and to finally overcome my anxiety/agoraphobia. So today I treated myself to a new coffee at Starbucks. A Tall DECAF Vanilla Latte. This is a HUGE change from my regular Venti Caramel macchiato . So this time I ordered a small (Tall) just to see if it will have any affects on me and now I am wishing I had ordered a Venti lol. I have to say I like the decaf better than my old regular!
Anyway, back to the book. Today I practiced Practicing going to unfamiliar places, or places that would normally cause anxiety. Dr Weekes stresses that we are not to “Fight” the fear but to “accept” it. So I drove in 6 lane traffic to get there at lunch rush hour, sat down on the sofa while I waited for my coffee then went next door and let Kenny pick out a new game for his Nintendo DS. I did it and had absolutely no anxiety!
Also yesterday I felt totally empowered. I stood up to a bully! This kid was bullying my son outside while he played. He threw his shoes and bike in a ditch and then yelled “Go get them BOY” let me tell you, when I heard that I went hunting down those boys. The kids parents didn’t care that they were doing it so I went up to them yelling telling them if they ever do that again I wouldn’t call their parents, I was calling the police. I hate that I had to yell at a kid that was not mine but after having lost one child to violence I am VERY protective of my son. Needless to say the boy started crying saying how he didn’t have any friends (Wonder why) and he just wanted to be Kennys friend. I told him friends don’t do that to each other and told him if he sees Kenny to walk the other way. I felt good that I was able to take a stand for my son and his friends he plays with. It goes to show that fear will not stop me from doing what really needs to be done.
