Last week I wrote about 5 Negative Statements You Should Stop Saying Right Now. So, I wanted to follow that post up this week with 5 Positive Statements You Should Absolutely Say Every Day. When I was in high school, there was a skit on Saturday Night Live called "Daily Affirmations with Stewart Smalley." Stewart Smalley … Continue reading The Things We Say to Ourselves, part 2: 5 Positive Statements You Should ABSOLUTELY Say Every Day
Doubt
The Things We Say To Ourselves: 5 Negative Statements You Should Stop Saying Right Now
People with anxiety and depression are notoriously bad about saying terrible things about ourselves. Most of the time, we say those things to ourselves. Oftentimes we excuse this negative talk by saying we're just being "realistic" or "trying not to get our hopes up" about something. But, the problem is that with every negative word we … Continue reading The Things We Say To Ourselves: 5 Negative Statements You Should Stop Saying Right Now
5 (+1) Tips To Reduce Anxiety on the First Day of School
It's that time again... Back to School! The first day of school is just around the corner (already here in some places), and for students, parents, and teachers alike, knowing that first day of school is coming can produce a lot anxiety and sometimes enough stress to make you sick! But it doesn't have to be that … Continue reading 5 (+1) Tips To Reduce Anxiety on the First Day of School
Changes — They Are a-Comin’!
Change is good, right?! I started this blog almost 10 years ago when I was in the midst of one of the worst periods of anxiety and depression that I'd ever experienced. In the beginning, the blog was a way for me to get my thoughts out of my head and on to "paper" -- … Continue reading Changes — They Are a-Comin’!
Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 8: Making Amends and Knowing When It’s Time to Stop Apologizing
In traditional 12 Step recovery programs, two of the steps are dedicated to righting the wrongs that have been done--or at least acknowledging them, apologizing for them, and, if possible, making some sort of reparation (not necessarily monetarily) for them. Step Eight: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to … Continue reading Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 8: Making Amends and Knowing When It’s Time to Stop Apologizing
Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 7: Sometimes We Fail
Sometimes, we fail. When I started this series over a year ago, I made a commitment to total transparency. Share everything (that is appropriate to share), hide nothing. Because only when we are totally honest with ourselves, with the people who love and care for us, and with the people who are helping us, can … Continue reading Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 7: Sometimes We Fail
Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 6: The Myth of Safety
In my previous posts in this series (links available at the end of this post), I've written a lot about many of the facets of my struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. But, one of the things I haven't yet addressed is one of the myths that people who suffer with anxiety and panic attacks … Continue reading Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 6: The Myth of Safety
Lessons from Star Wars–“You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned”: How Self-Perception Can Change Everything
One of the things I struggle with most in my life--one of the things I think we all struggle with--is self-perception. It's not necessarily that the way we perceive ourselves is bad or negative, but a lot of the time, I think they way we perceive ourselves is, quite simply, inaccurate. That is something we … Continue reading Lessons from Star Wars–“You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned”: How Self-Perception Can Change Everything
Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, part 5: A Road to Wellness (Here We Go)
In my last post, I wrote that I would be starting an intensive outpatient treatment program for anxiety and depression soon. Soon has come! I began the program on Monday, and completed the third day yesterday. One of the rules of the program is that I not discuss treatment outside of the group--with anyone. So, … Continue reading Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, part 5: A Road to Wellness (Here We Go)
Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 4: Where Do We Go from Here?
I started this series of posts a long time ago. In fact, I posted parts 1, 2, and 3 (you can click on the numbers to read them) over a year ago. I had every intention of writing this fourth part back then, but a funny thing happened on the way to writing it...I went … Continue reading Anxiety–Destroyer of Lives, Part 4: Where Do We Go from Here?
